WO2009053367A1

WO2009053367A1 - Spatial lattice structure

Info

Publication number: WO2009053367A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/064223
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alessandro Balducci
Original assignee: Gpl-Costruzioni Generali S.R.L.; D.S.D.-Dezi Steel Design S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-10-22
Filing date: 2008-10-21
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: ITMC20070209A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a spatial lattice structure comprising at least a lattice made of struts (1) that are provided at least at one end with a V- shaped notch (2) in which a corner of an assembly collar (3) is inserted and soldered to assemble the said struts (1) in junction nodes by means of bolts (9) or similar parts.

Description

Spatial lattice structure.

The present invention relates to a spatial lattice structure and to the struts used to obtain it.

Spatial lattice structures are extremely interesting, being based on the principle of versatility and modularity of the junction nodes and rods that form them. They represent a valid modern architectural alternative solution for the fitting out of trade shows, booths, roofing for sports facilities, industrial and civil buildings.

Lattice structures of this type are known and largely used regardless of numerous disadvantages. The spatial lattice structure according to the known art comprises two types of rods: struts that form the bearing frame of the structure, and diagonal rods that complete the lattice structure.

In all spatial lattice structures the term "junction node" indicates the points where struts, and eventually diagonal rods, converge. According to an executive embodiment of the known art, struts and diagonal rods are assembled in junction nodes with basically spherical connection means where struts and eventually diagonal rods converge. Structures only formed by struts are also available.

The configuration of the structure with spherical connection means requires soldering or screwing the diagonal rods and/or struts on the spherical connection means, directly on site, and this is not practical, in view of the large dimensions and weights of the different parts.

An alternative solution to overcome this drawback has been provided by the known art by replacing the spherical connection means with assembly collars that are soldered at one or both ends of the struts to assemble struts and diagonal rods in junction nodes with bolts.

The assembly collars according to the known art are shaped as an internally hollow prism with triangular cross-section. As disclosed in patent EP0031804 of UTEMA-TRAVHYDRO S.A. the assembly collar is soldered at the end of the strut by soldering one side of the prism with triangular cross-section. Soldering is of circular type because it represents the connection of a circular profile, that is to say the strut, with a plane, that is to say the side of the prism with triangular cross-section.

Soldering is difficult to perform, being of the so-called "head-to-head" type and can have problems in terms of strength and resistance.

Another drawback is given by the fact that the manoeuvring space inside the assembly collar to screw the connection bolts or similar parts between struts and struts and/or struts and diagonal rods is reduced, due to the triangular cross-section of the collar, and makes screwing long and difficult.

Another inconvenience consists in the difficulties encountered to insert the typical bolts and nuts with large diameter inside the small triangular cross- section of the collar, in order to support the heavy loads applied on struts and rods.

The purpose of the present invention is to obtain a spatial lattice structure that provides a simple inexpensive solution to the inconveniences of the known structures. The aforementioned purposes are achieved by the present invention with a spatial lattice structure that comprises at least a lattice made of struts, in which the struts are provided at least at one end with a V-notch in which a corner of the assembly collar is inserted and soldered to assemble struts in junction nodes with bolts or similar parts. In general, the struts can have any type of cross-section, meaning a circular, elliptical, square or polygonal cross-section.

According to the present invention, the assembly collar is advantageously soldered to the strut with a corner and not with a side, in such a way that, if the struts have a circular or elliptical cross-section, soldering develops according to a semi-ellipse, with total soldering length higher than the soldering length of the known art. A higher soldering length ensures a better hold and higher strength of soldering. Moreover, this type of soldering is easier to make, since it is not of head-to-head type.

Another advantage is due to the higher stiffening of the assembly collar, which prevents distortion under load. According to an especially advantageous executive embodiment, the collar is shaped as a prism with four or more sides, thus increasing the space inside the collar, and facilitating the insertion and tightening of the bolts and nuts that are used to connect collars to form the junction node.

The present spatial lattice structure is simple to make and assemble and inexpensive; in fact, traditional sections can be used to obtain struts, rods and assembly collars.

The present invention also relates to a strut for lattice structures, which comprises an elongated strut body shaped as a rod or similar item, provided at least at one end with a V-shaped notch in which a corner of the assembly collar is inserted and soldered to assemble the strut in junction nodes with bolts or similar parts.

Further characteristics and improvements are the object of the claims and subclaims.

The characteristics of the invention and its advantages will become evident from the detailed description of the figures, wherein:

- figs. 1 A and 1 B are a top view and a side view, respectively, of a strut of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention;

- figs. 2A and 2B are a top view and a side view, respectively, of a diagonal rod of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention; - fig. 3 is a top view of a junction node of a first preferred executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention;

- fig. 4 is a top view of a junction node of a second preferred executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention;

- fig. 5 is a top view of a junction node of an additional executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention;

- fig. 6 is a top view of a junction node of an additional executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention. With reference to figs. 1 A and 1 B, the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention is composed of a strut (1 ) that comprises an elongated strut body (1 ) shaped as a rod or similar item, provided at least at one end with a V-shaped notch (2) in which a corner of the assembly collar (3) is inserted and soldered to assemble the strut (1 ) in junction nodes with bolts or similar parts.

The strut (1 ) illustrated in figs. 1 A and 1 B is a strut with circular cross- section. In general, struts (1 ) can have any type of cross-section, meaning a circular, elliptical, square or polygonal cross-section. The strut (1 ) is provided at least at one end with a V-shaped notch (2) in which an assembly collar (3) is inserted and soldered. According to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 1 , the assembly collar (3) is provided at both ends of the strut (1 ). The shape of the assembly collar (3) depends on the geometry of the spatial lattice structure; in the executive embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 A and 1 B, the assembly collar (3) is an internally hollow parallelepiped with square cross-section.

The assembly collar has a rhomboidal cross-section in the executive embodiments illustrated in figs. 4 and 5, and a circular cross-section in fig. 6.

The two free sides of the assembly collar (3), that is to say the sides facing the sides soldered in the V-shaped notch (2) of the strut (1 ), are provided with a fixing means (4) to assemble the struts (1 ) and eventually the diagonal rods (5) in junction nodes, as illustrated in figs. 2A and 2B.

According to the executive embodiment illustrated in figs. 1 A and 1 B, the fixing means (4) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt closed with a nut is inserted and fixed.

The assembly collars (3) are shaped in such a way to facilitate the insertion of the bolts used to connect struts with struts and/or struts with diagonal rods, also in case of bolts with large diameter.

Figs. 2A and 2B are a top view and a side view, respectively, of a diagonal rod (5) of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention.

The diagonal rod (5) illustrated in figs. 2A and 2B is a diagonal rod with circular cross-section. Likewise the struts, the diagonal rods (5) can have any type of cross-section, meaning a circular, elliptical, square or polygonal cross- section.

The diagonal rod (5) is provided at least at one end with a soldered flat assembly plate (6). According to the executive embodiment illustrated in figs. 2A and 2B, the flat assembly plate (6) is provided at both ends of the diagonal rod (5).

The flat assembly plate (6) is provided with a fixing means (7) used to assemble the diagonal rods (5) and struts in junction nodes. According to the executive embodiment illustrated in figs. 2A and 2B, the fixing means (7) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt closed with a nut is inserted and fixed.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a junction node (8) of a first preferred executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention.

The ends of four struts (1 ) and four diagonal rods (5) converge in the junction node (8) illustrated in fig. 3.

The struts (1 ) are equally spaced along the circumference with junction node (8) as centre.

In particular, according to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, each strut (1 ) forms a 90° angle with the adjacent struts (1 ) and a diagonal rod (5) is situated between two struts, forming a 45° angle with the adjacent struts. The diagonal rods (5) are equally spaced along the circumference with junction node (8) as centre.

One end of the struts (1 ) is provided with a V-notch (2), where the assembly collar (3) is soldered. According to the illustrated executive embodiment, the assembly collar

(3) is an internally hollow parallelogram with square cross-section.

The assembly collar (3) with square cross-section can be advantageously obtained by cutting a tubular bar with square cross-section, using a traditional section and considerably reducing manufacturing costs. The two free sides of the assembly collar (3) facing the sides soldered in the V-shaped notch (2) of the strut (1 ) are provided with a fixing means (4) to assemble four struts (1 ) and four diagonal rods (5) in the junction node (8). According to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, the fixing means (4) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt (9) closed with a nut (10) is inserted and fixed.

One end of the diagonal rods (5) is provided with a soldered flat assembly plate (6). The flat assembly plate (6) is provided with a fixing means (7) to assemble four diagonal rods (5) and four struts in the junction node (8). According to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, the fixing means (7) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt (9) closed with a nut (10) is inserted and fixed. Each flat assembly plate (6) is inserted between the sides of two assembly collars (3) and fitted by inserting a bolt or similar part in the holes (4, 7) provided in the assembly collar (3) and in the flat assembly plate (6).

The diagonal rods (5) and struts (1 ) do not have to be coplanar and may lay on different planes in such a way to originate a 3D structure; in fact, the connection of the diagonal rods (5) with the struts (1 ) with a single bolt (9) creates a hinge and allows for different inclinations of the diagonal rod (5).

Fig. 4 is a top view of a junction node (1 1 ) of a second preferred executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention. The ends of six struts (1 ) and six diagonal rods (5) converge in the junction node (1 1 ) illustrated in fig. 4.

Like the executive embodiment of fig. 3 described above, the struts (1 ) and the diagonal rods (5) alternate and are equally spaced along the circumference with junction node (1 1 ) as centre. According to this executive embodiment, the assembly collar (3) is an internally hollow parallelogram with rhomboidal cross-section, provided with pairs of identical sides.

The two shorter sides of the assembly collar (3) are the two sides soldered in the V-shaped notch (2) of the struts (1 ), while the two longer sides facing the two soldered sides are free sides provided with a fixing means (4) to assemble six struts (1 ) and six diagonal rods (5) in the junction node (1 1 ).

As illustrated above, according to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 4, the fixing means (4) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt (9) closed with a nut (10) is inserted.

As in fig. 3, also in this executive embodiment each flat assembly plate (6) is inserted between the sides of two assembly collars (3) and assembled by inserting bolts or similar parts in the holes (4, 7) provided in the assembly collar (3) and in the flat assembly plate (6).

The diagonal rods (5) and the struts (1 ) do not have to be coplanar and may lay on different planes in such a way to originate a 3D structure.

Fig. 5 is a top view of a junction node (12) of an additional executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention.

The executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 5 is the same as the executive embodiments illustrated above.

The ends of three struts (1 ) and three diagonal rods (5) converge in the junction node (12). According to this executive embodiment, the assembly collar (3) is an internally hollow parallelepiped with rhomboidal cross-section, provided with pairs of identical sides. Unlike the executive embodiment of fig. 4, the two longer sides of the assembly collar (3) are soldered in the V-shaped notch (2) of the struts (1 ), while the two free sides are shorter, face the two soldered sides, and are provided with a fixing means (4) to assemble three struts (1 ) and three diagonal rods (5) in the junction node (12). According to the executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 5, the fixing means (4) is a seat shaped as a hole, in which a bolt (9) closed with a nut (10) is inserted.

In any case, it is noted that collars (3) with rhomboidal cross-section as the ones illustrated in figs. 4 and 5 can be obtained by soldering an opposite pair of traditional L-shaped sections.

Fig. 6 is a top view of a junction node (13) of an additional executive embodiment of the spatial lattice structure according to the present invention.

The executive embodiment illustrated in fig. 6 is the same as the executive embodiments illustrated above, except for the presence of collars

(30) with circular cross-section that are partially recessed and soldered inside a notch (20) with arc of circle cross-section provided at the end of the struts (1) -

The ends of four struts (1) and four diagonal rods (5) converge in the junction node (13).

Claims

1. Spatial lattice structure comprising at least a lattice made of struts (1 ), characterised in that the struts (1 ) are provided at least at one end with a V-shaped notch (2) in which a corner of an assembly collar (3) is inserted and soldered to assemble the said struts (1 ) in junction nodes (8, 1 1 , 12) by means of bolts (9) or similar parts.

2. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in claim 1 , characterised in that the struts (1 ) are provided with the V-shaped notch (2) at both ends.

3. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the struts (1 ) have a circular, or elliptical or polygonal or square cross-section.

4. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the struts (1 ) are equally spaced along the circumference with junction node (8, 1 1 , 12) as centre.

5. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that it comprises one or more diagonal rods (5).

6. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the diagonal rods (5) have a circular, or elliptical or polygonal or square cross-section.

7. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the diagonal rods (5) are equally spaced along the circumference with junction node (8, 1 1 , 12) as centre.

8. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the diagonal rods (5) and the struts (1 ) alternate.

9. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the diagonal rods (5) are provided at least at one end, preferably at both ends, with a soldered flat assembly plate (6) provided with a fixing means (7) to assemble the diagonal rods (5) and the struts (1 ) in junction nodes (8, 1 1 , 12) with bolts (9) and nuts (10).

10. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the fixing means (7) is a hole.

11. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the assembly collar (3) is an internally hollow parallelepiped with square or rhomboidal or polygonal cross-section.

12. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the sides of the assembly collar (3) consist in pairs of identical sides, including two identical free sides and two identical soldered sides.

13. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the free sides of the assembly collar (3), that is to say the sides facing the sides soldered in the V-shaped notch (2) of the strut (1 ), are provided with a fixing means (4) to assemble the struts (1 ) and eventually the diagonal rods (5) in junction nodes (8, 1 1 , 12).

14. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the fixing means (4) is a hole.

15. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the flat assembly plate (6) is inserted between the sides of the two assembly collars (3) and assembled with the two assembly collars (3) by inserting a bolt (9) or similar part in the said fixing means (4, 7).

16. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in one or more of the above claims, characterised in that the diagonal rods (5) and the struts (1 ) lay on different planes.

17. Spatial lattice structure comprising at least a lattice made of struts (1 ), characterised in that the struts (1 ) are provided at least at one end with a arc of circle notch (20) in which a portion of a circular assembly collar (30) is inserted and soldered to assemble the said struts (1 ) in a junction node (13) by means of bolts (9) or similar parts.

18. Spatial lattice structure as claimed in the above claim, characterised in that the circular assembly collar (30) is provided with fixing holes (4) to assemble the struts (1 ) and the diagonal rods (5) in a junction node (13).

19. Strut (1 ) for lattice structure, characterised in that it comprises an elongated strut body (1 ) shaped as a rod or similar item, provided at least at one end with a V-shaped notch (2) in which a corner of an assembly collar (3) is inserted and soldered to assemble the strut (1 ) in junction nodes (8, 1 1 , 12) with bolts or similar parts.

20. Strut (1 ) as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that it is provided with the V-shaped notch (2) at both ends.

21. Strut (1 ) as claimed in claim 19 and 20, characterised in that the assembly collar (3) is provided with holes (4) to insert fixing bolts (9) in order to assemble the struts (1 ) and eventually the diagonal rods (5) in junction nodes (8, 1 1 , 12).

22. Strut (1 ) for lattice structure, characterised in that it comprises an elongated strut body (1 ) shaped as a rod or similar item, provided at least at one end with an arc of circle notch (20), in which a portion of a circular assembly collar (30) is inserted and soldered to assemble the strut (1 ) in a junction node (13) with bolts (9) or similar parts.

23. Strut (1 ) for lattice structure, as claimed in the above claim, characterised in that the circular assembly collar (30) is provided with holes (4) to insert fixing bolts (9) in order to assemble multiple struts (1 ) and eventually diagonal rods (5) in a junction node (13).