Space frames and connection node arrangement for them

Abstract

In a double layer grid-type of space frame, certain framing members are connected at their opposite ends to separate node connectors carried by chords of the frame. The node connectors have spaced apart opposing surfaces that receive the framing members. A shear pin passage is formed through each framing member and through the opposing surfaces of the node connector. The shear pin connects the framing member to the node connector.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A framing connection comprising:
 a first framing member defined by a first elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the first elongated tube;   a second framing member defined by a second elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the second elongated tube;   a node connector comprising:
 a circumferentially closed passage having passage openings configured to receive the first framing member such that the first framing member is freely movable in the passage and through the passage openings, the passage comprising two opposing holes in a passage wall; and 
 a pair of spaced apart connector elements projecting radially from the closed passage and configured to receive the second framing member between the connector elements such that the second framing member is freely moveable between the connector elements, each of the connector elements comprising a hole opposite to the hole of the other connector element; 
   a first pin insertable through the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube when the first elongated tube is inserted in the passage such that the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube are generally aligned, the first pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the passage wall to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the passage wall; and   a second pin insertable through the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube when the second elongated tube is inserted between the connector elements such that the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube are generally aligned, the second pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes of the connector elements to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes of the connector elements.   
     
     
         22 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the first pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube. 
     
     
         23 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the second pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube. 
     
     
         24 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the first pin comprises a tapered first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion having a greater outer diameter than the inner diameters of the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube. 
     
     
         25 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the second pin comprises a tapered first end portion and a second end portion, the second end portion having a greater outer diameter than the inner diameters of the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube. 
     
     
         26 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the entire first pin is unthreaded and wherein the entire second pin is unthreaded. 
     
     
         27 . the framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the first pin comprises:
 a tapered first end portion;   a second end portion having a greater outer diameter than the inner diameters of the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube;   a first shank portion adjacent to the second end portion, the first shank portion having the same design outer diameter as the design inner diameters of the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube; and   a second shank portion extending between the first shank portion and the tapered first end portion, the second shank portion having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the first shank portion such that the second shank portion is freely movable in the holes in the passage wall and a holes in the wall of the first elongated tube.   
     
     
         28 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the second pin comprises:
 a tapered first end portion;   a second end portion having a greater outer diameter than the inner diameters of the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube;   a first shank portion adjacent to the second end portion, the first shank portion having the same design outer diameter as the design inner diameters of the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube; and   a second shank portion extending between the first shank portion and the tapered first end portion, the second shank portion having a smaller outer diameter than the outer diameter of the first shank portion such that the second shank portion is freely movable in the holes of the connector elements and a holes in the wall of the second elongated tube.   
     
     
         29 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein each of the first pin or the second pin comprises a tapered first end portion and a retainer groove near the tapered first end portion, the retainer groove configured to receive a retainer having a greater outer diameter than the inner diameters of the holes in the passage wall, the holes of the connector elements, the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube, and a holes in the wall of the second elongated tube. 
     
     
         30 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the holes in the passage are generally coaxial to define a hole axis, and wherein the hole axis intersects a central axis of the passage. 
     
     
         31 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the passage of the node connector has a circular cross section, and wherein the first framing member has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         32 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the passage of the node connector has a rectangular cross section, and wherein the first framing member has a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         33 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the second framing member has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         34 . The framing connection of  claim 21 , wherein the second framing member has a rectangular cross section. 
     
     
         35 . A method of manufacturing a framing connection comprising:
 forming a first framing member defined by a first elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the first elongated tube;   forming a second framing member defined by a second elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the second elongated tube;   forming a node connector comprising:   forming a circumferentially closed passage having passage openings configured to receive the first framing member such that the first framing member is freely movable in the passage and through the passage openings, the passage comprising two opposing holes in a passage wall; and   forming a pair of spaced apart connector elements projecting radially from the closed passage and configured to receive the second framing member between the connector elements such that the second framing member is freely moveable between the connector elements, each of the connector elements comprising a hole opposite to the hole of the other connector element;   forming a first pin insertable through the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube when the first elongated tube is inserted in the passage such that the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube are generally aligned, the first pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the passage wall to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the passage wall; and   forming a second pin insertable through the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube when the second elongated tube is inserted between the connector elements such that the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube are generally aligned, the second pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes of the connector elements to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes of the connector elements.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the first pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the second pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube. 
     
     
         38 . A method of assembling a framing connection comprising a first framing member defined by a first elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the first elongated tube, a second framing member defined by a second elongated tube and having two opposing and linearly aligned holes in a wall of the second elongated tube, a node connector including a circumferentially closed passage having passage openings configured to receive the first framing member such that the first framing member is freely movable in the passage and through the passage openings, the passage comprising two opposing holes in a passage wall, and a pair of spaced apart connector elements projecting radially from the closed passage and configured to receive the second framing member between the connector elements such that the second framing member is freely moveable between the connector elements, each of the connector elements comprising a hole opposite to the hole of the other connector element, the method comprising:
 inserting the first elongate tube in the passage such that the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube are generally aligned;   inserting a first pin through the holes in the passage wall and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube, the first pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the passage wall to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the passage wall;   inserting the second elongated tube between the connector elements such that the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube are generally aligned;   inserting a second pin through the holes of the connector elements and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube, the second pin having the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes of the connector elements to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes of the connector elements.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the first pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the first pin and the holes in the wall of the first elongated tube. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the second pin has the same outer design diameter as the inner design diameter of the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube to provide a zero clearance fit between the second pin and the holes in the wall of the second elongated tube.