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Be the first to comment on this page US Patent 5956917 - Co-axial joint system US Patent Issued on September 28, 1999 Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject January 9, 2018Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent. Abstract Claims Description Full Text loading... View Patent Images (PDF) (Registered users only) Claims I claim: 1. An improved connection for a node element in a reticulated structure comprising: a framing member; an inner and an outer connector moiety; a tension carrier affixed to the node element and extending slidably through the inner moiety, the carrier and the inner moiety being cooperatively configured for defining a limit of motion of the inner moiety along the carrier from the node element; a first connection between the inner moiety and the framing member defined for withstanding tension in the framing member, the connection between the inner moiety and the framing member also defining a thrust seat for application of compression in the framing member to the inner moiety; and a second connection between the inner and outer moieties defined for accepting and carrying to the node element compressive load in the framing member as applied to the outer moiety via the inner moiety, the tension carrier and the connector moieties being so dimensioned that in the completed connection the framing member engages the thrust seat of the inner moiety and the outer moiety compressively abuts the node element when the inner moiety is essentially at its motion limit relative to the node element. 2. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the inner moiety has internal threads and external threads. 3. The improved connection according to claim 2 wherein the outer moiety comprises internal threads for engagement with the external threads of the inner moiety. 4. The improved connection according to claim 2 wherein the framing member comprises external threads on an end of the member for engagement with the internal threads of the inner moiety. 5. The improved connection according to claim 2 wherein the internal threads of the inner moiety comprises tension buttress threads. 6. The improved connection according to claim 2 wherein the external threads of the inner moiety comprises compression buttress threads. 7. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the inner moiety comprises first external threads and second external threads. 8. The improved connection according to claim 7 wherein the framing member comprises internal threads on an end of the member for engagement with the second external threads of the inner moiety. 9. The improved connection according to claim 7 wherein the internal threads of the outer moiety and the first external threads of the inner moiety comprises compression buttress threads. 10. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the inner moiety comprises an end cap having a top end, a bottom end, and an internal cavity, wherein the tension connector extends through the bottom end of the end cap, and wherein the framing member extends through the top end of the end cap into the internal cavity. 11. The improved connection according to claim 10 wherein the Inventor thrust seat comprises a shoulder in the inner cavity of the inner moiety, and wherein an end of the framing member abuts * Reynolds, Glenn A. the shoulder for application of compression in the framing member to the inner moiety. Application 12. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the No. 005282 filed on 01/09/1998 outer moiety is slidable relative to the framing member. US Classes: 13. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the outer moiety is extendable beyond the framing member for 52/655.1, Having specific connector, abutment with the node element. etc.52/81.3, Frame connection detail52/653.2, Having tubular member52/655.2, 14. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the Spheroidal403/174, Coplanar403/217, THREE OR outer moiety comprises a compression sleeve having a diameter MORE MEMBERS CONNECTED AT SINGLE sufficient to encompass the inner moiety and the framing LOCUS403/299THREAD ADAPTOR member. Field of Search 15. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the tension carrier comprises a tension bolt. 52/81.3, Frame connection detail52/646, Three-dimensional space-defining52/653.2, 16. The improved connection according to claim 15 wherein the Having tubular member52/655.1, Having specific tension bolt comprises a head, the head defining the limit of connector, etc.52/655.2, Spheroidal403/170, motion of the inner moiety along the tension carrier from the Three or more radiating members403/174, node element. Coplanar403/178, Coplanar403/217, THREE OR MORE MEMBERS CONNECTED AT SINGLE LOCUS403/218, 17. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the All encompassed403/299, THREAD tension carrier is axially hollow. ADAPTOR403/362Including set screw 18. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the Examiners tension carrier defines a clearance between the framing member and the node element when the framing element is Primary: Kent, Christopher T. connected to the node element. Attorney, Agent or Firm 19. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the tension carrier comprises a stud and a pair of nuts * Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP configured to allow adjustment of the limit of motion of the inner moiety along the carrier from the node element. US Patent References 20. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the 3789562, 3882650, 4692054, Connector system framing member has a length, and has a substantially uniform for structural framework cross section along its entire length. Issued on: 09/08/1987 Inventor: Kirby5051019, Space frame assembly 21. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the Issued on: 09/24/1991 framing member is cylindrical. Inventor: Kohl5632129Joint device for joining pretensioned brace member to connector nodes 22. The improved connection according to claim 1 further in space truss structure comprising a bushing connecting the inner moiety to the Issued on: 05/27/1997 framing member. Inventor: Imai, et al. 23. The improved connection according to claim 1 wherein the International Class inner moiety, outer moiety, framing member and tension carrier are arranged in a coaxial relation. E04H 012/10 24. A method for connecting a framing member to a node element in a reticulated structure, the framing member having an end connection portion, the method including: (a) making captive to the node element the inner one of inner and outer connector moieties, while enabling the inner moiety to move along a path away from the node element into contact with a stop, (b) disposing the inner moiety away from the stop and aligning the framing member connection portion with the inner moiety, (c) moving the inner moiety from the node element toward the stop, (d) establishing between the connection portion and the inner moiety a connection which places the inner moiety essentially at the stop, which resists pulling of the inner moiety away from the connection portion, and produces face-to-face abutment of the connection portion with the inner moiety substantially in a plane substantially normal to said path, (e) disposing the outer moiety about the inner moiety and establishing between them a connection which places the outer moiety in compressive abutment with the node element and which resists motion of the inner moiety toward the node element. 25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the making captive step comprises inserting a tension carrier through the inner moiety and coupling the tension carrier to the node element. 26. The method according to claim 24 wherein the step of establishing a connection between the connection portion of the framing member and the inner moiety comprises threadably engaging the framing member to the inner moiety. 27. The method according to claim 24 wherein the step of establishing a connection between the outer moiety and the inner moiety comprises threadably engaging the outer moiety to the inner moiety. Other References * Kawaguchi, "Possibilities and problems of Latticed Structures," Spatial/Lattice and Tension Structures: Proceeding of the IASS-ASCE Int'l Symposium 1994, UCLA Science & Engineering Library, TA 660 S63S63, 1994, pp. 350-376 * Z.S. Makowski, Chapter 1, "Space structures, A short review of their development," Space Structures, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 1-8, Sep., 1996 * P. Bueno & J. Calavera, Chapter 51, "Flat roofs made of tubular space structures," Space Structures, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 581-595, Sep., 1996 * P.M. Lovie, Chapter 53, "The design and full scale testing of a geodetic transmission tower," Space Structures, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 605-621, Sep., 1996 * H.G. Fentiman, Chapter 93, "Developments in Canada in the fabrication and construction of three-dimensional structures using the triodetic system," Space Structures, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 1073-1082, Sep., 1996 * Max Mengeringhausen, Chapter 99, Kompositionslehre raumlicher Stab-Fachwerke, Space Structures, Blackwell Scientific Publications, pp. 1109-1120, Sep., 1996 * Hanaor, Ariel, "Design and Behaviour of Retriculated Spatial Structural Systems," International Journal of Space Structures, vol. 10 No. 3 1995, pp. 139-149 * Hanaor, Ariel, "Characteristics of Prefabricated Spatial Frame Systems, " International Journal of Space Structures vol. 10 No. 3 1995, pp. 151-173 * Hanaor, Ariel, "A Summary Survey of Prefabricated Spatial Frame Systems" International Journal of Space Structures vol. 10 No. 3 1995, pp. 175-18 Add comment Comments No comments for this page Home | Browse by Inventor | Browse by Examiner | Browse by Date | Resources | Contact Us | Legal Notices (c) 2004-2010 PatentStorm LLC. 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