Support Structure And Building Including Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to support structures including truss assemblies and purlins, the truss assemblies including struts, wherein utilities such as pipes and cables can be contained within the purlins, and can pass through openings in the struts, to thereby be retained by the support structures so as to be hidden from view.

1 . A support structure, comprising:
 a top truss chord extending in a first direction and including end portions, wherein the top truss chord curves downwardly;   a bottom truss chord including end portions, wherein the end portions of the bottom truss chord are coupled to the end portions of the top truss chord, and wherein the bottom truss chord curves upwardly;   a strut extending between and coupled to the top truss chord and the bottom truss chord; and   a purlin extending in a second direction, wherein the purlin is coupled to an upper portion of the strut.   
     
     
         2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the top truss chord comprises a pair of top truss beams spaced apart from each other, each top truss beam spanning the length of the top truss chord. 
     
     
         3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein the strut extends between the top truss beams and is coupled thereto. 
     
     
         4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein the purlin comprises a pair of purlin beams spaced apart from each other, each purlin beam spanning the length of the purlin. 
     
     
         5 . The support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the strut extends between the purlin beams and is coupled thereto. 
     
     
         6 . The support structure of  claim 4 , wherein the strut defines an opening therethrough, the opening being positioned between the purlin beams. 
     
     
         7 . The support structure of  claim 6 , further comprising utilities extending within the purlin and through the opening. 
     
     
         8 . The support structure of  claim 4 , further comprising a lighting element disposed between the purlin beams. 
     
     
         9 . The support structure of  claim 1 , further comprising a support coupled to the purlin and configured to support at least a portion of at least one curved panel. 
     
     
         10 . The support structure of  claim 9 , wherein the support comprises a tee support, and wherein the tee support is configured to extend between and support adjacent curved panels. 
     
     
         11 . A purlin, comprising:
 a pair of purlin beams positioned apart from each other so as to define a space therebetween, each purlin beam spanning the length of the purlin;   a cover plate extending between the purlin beams at a lower portion thereof; and   utilities extending within the space, disposed above the cover plate.   
     
     
         12 . The purlin of  claim 11 , further comprising a strut disposed between the purlin beams, wherein the utilities extend through an opening defined by the strut. 
     
     
         13 . The purlin of  claim 11 , further comprising a lighting track coupled to the cover plate. 
     
     
         14 . A glass roof, comprising:
 a glass roof panel extending in a longitudinal direction;   a purlin disposed below the roof panel and extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the purlin is coupled to and supports the roof panel; and   a truss assembly disposed below the purlin and extending in a transverse direction, wherein the truss assembly is coupled to and supports the purlin.   
     
     
         15 . The glass roof of  claim 14 , wherein the roof panel is curved. 
     
     
         16 . The glass roof of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of glass roof panels, wherein each glass roof panel is positioned adjacent at least one other glass roof panel, and wherein each glass roof panel is curved such that the plurality of glass roof panels defines a curved glass roof surface. 
     
     
         17 . The glass roof of  claim 14 , wherein the purlin comprises a pair of purlin beams spaced apart from each other, each purlin beam spanning the length of the purlin. 
     
     
         18 . The glass roof of  claim 17 , further comprising a strut disposed between the purlin beams and coupled thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The glass roof of  claim 18 , wherein the strut defines an opening therethrough, the opening being positioned between the purlin beams and configured to receive utilities. 
     
     
         20 . The glass roof of  claim 14 , further comprising a lighting element disposed between the purlin beams.