Geodesic dome assemby joint

Abstract

An improved joint for connecting the ends of tubes for the purpose of assembling a geodesic dome or truss structure (FIG. 6 ). The tube ends form top and bottom hooks (A 4 ) which face away from each other. The hooked ends (A 4 ) facilitate the attachment of adjacent tubes to the unifying joint by gripping a common top and bottom washer ( 3 ). The inner washers ( 3 ) are used as tension rings for restricting the movement of the tubes by which they are hooked. The structure is stiffened when the hooks are pressed down into a flattened position by the outer top and bottom washers ( 2 ). The outer top and bottom washers are sandwiched by a single nut and bolt assembly ( 1,5 ). As the nut and bolt assembly ( 1,5 ) is tightened pressure is applied to the outer washers which press the booked ends ( 4 A) of the tubes backwards into a flattened position. The initial condition of the joint is loose to allow adjustments of the positioning of the tubes within the structure. The final state of the joint after the nut and bolt assembly is tightened is stiff completing the structure assembly as a ridged structural frame (FIG. 9 ).

1 . A means by which tubular struts attach to a tension ring.  
     
     
         2 . Said tubular strut with hooked ends for griping said tension ring in a loose manner allowing flexure of the struts.  
     
     
         3 . Said tubular strut with hooked ends for griping said tension ring in a tight manner restricting the flexure and movement of the struts.  
     
     
         4 . A means to deform said strut to complete the attachment to a tension ring.  
     
     
         5 . A nut and bolt assembly tightened to apply pressure to and bend said strut angled tips to form top and bottom hooks for the purpose of griping said tension ring.  
     
     
         6 . A means of restricting the movement of said tubular struts.  
     
     
         7 . A washer used as a common tension resistant juncture for resisting the movement of said tubular struts.