SPACE GRID SYSTEMS PT. 2

The present invention relates to space grid structures and, more particularly, to a modular system designed for use in the fabrication of space grid structures which are composed of joints and girders of simple structure which are easily assembled and provide maximum flexibility in design.

Space grid structures have long been used in architectural and engineering projects. The design of the basic components employed in such structures has been known in a variety of forms. Regardless of the form, the basic components of the structures share one common principle--ease of repetition of a basic geometric design. Thus, the basic module, whatever its geometry, is used repeatedly in space, simply by adding more joints and girders, depending upon the requirements of the particular design.



For example, the German "MERO" and the American "UNISTRUT" systems are two well known systems of this type. These and other systems of this type are all based on the principle that the joint is, from the point of view of statics, a fixed joint. All of the girders are rigidly fixed at a particular angle relative to a joint. This principle restricts the possible number of geometrical patterns which can be obtained.

Another disadvantage of this type of system is that every girder must be individually fixed to the joint. This normally requires some elevated assembly stages, a great disadvantage for large systems composed of thousands of girders and joints.






The present invention is designed to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages. The invention resolves the problem of the fixed joint by forming the joint which acts like a hinge. Some of the girders attached to a joint can be moved relative to the joint so that the girder can be situated in a great number of different positions relative to the joint. Thus, one significant advantage achieved by the present invention is that the structure of the joint results in a system which can generate all of the geometric configurations normally associated with known structures and, in addition, other forms, either curves or planes, which are not possible to achieve with known structures.

Another significant advantage of the present system is that assembly is greatly simplified. Only a single bolt is required to assemble a joint which may connect up to twelve girders, depending upon the structure of the joint. This permits one to reduce, to a minimum, the assembly stages required.