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EP-4182509-B1 - MODULAR SPACE FRAME SUPPORT SYSTEM

EP4182509B1EP 4182509 B1EP4182509 B1EP 4182509B1EP-4182509-B1

Inventors

  • SCRAFFORD, ROY T.
  • MARTALOCK, Alana
  • DOLLY, Jerry
  • JOLICOEUR, PAUL
  • TOMLINSON, SCOTT
  • BURKHART, Jonathan
  • GRUMBERG, MATHIEU

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20200716

Claims (15)

  1. A modular space frame support system comprising: at least two units of the modular space frame support system, each unit comprising at least four elongate structural members (30'), wherein a first and a second of the at least four elongate structural members (30') forms a first pair of opposed elongate structural members (30') and a third and a fourth of the elongate structural members (30') forms a second pair of opposed elongate structural members (30'), the first and second pairs of opposed elongate structural members (30') joined together using at least four interconnection structures (10') to define a substantially rectangular planar surface; a plurality of diagonal chords (70") attached to a respective one of each of the at least four interconnection structures (10') at a first end and each connected to at least one further interconnection structure (10') at a second end; at least one further elongate structural member (30') connected to and extending between one of the first pair of opposed elongate structural members (30) and the second pair of opposed elongate structural members (30') in a direction perpendicular to the one of the first pair of opposed elongate structural members (30') and the second pair of opposed elongate structural members (30'); and at least one deck platform (50) secured to the at least two elongate structural members (30) and the at least one further elongate structural member (30') so as to cover at least a portion of the substantially rectangular planar surface, wherein the deck platform (50) of each of the at least two units is coplanar, characterized in that the plurality of diagonal chords (70") of a first of the at least two units each have a length less than the plurality of diagonal chords (70") of a second of the at least two units.
  2. The modular space frame support system of claim 1, wherein each of the at least four interconnection structures (10') of each of the at least two units further includes at least one chord-engaging structure (78b').
  3. The modular space frame support system of claim 2, wherein each of the at least one chord-engaging structure (78b') comprises two plates (79a', 79b'), wherein each plate contains an opening (76a', 76b') therethrough.
  4. The modular space frame support system of claim 3, wherein each of the two plates (79a', 79b') is arcuate.
  5. The modular space frame support system of claim 3, wherein each of the two plates (79a', 79b') is circular.
  6. The modular space frame support system of any of claims 3-5, wherein the two plates (79a', 79b') are non-symmetrical.
  7. The modular space frame support system of any of claims 1-5, wherein the respective first end of each of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") and the respective second end of each of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") includes two plates(72a''', 72b‴, 72c"', 72d‴), each of the two plates (72a‴, 72b‴, 72c‴, 72d‴) containing an opening (73a‴, 73b‴, 73c"', 73d‴) therethrough.
  8. The modular space frame support system of claim 1, wherein each interconnection structure (10') comprises: a first element (11') being generally planar and a second element (12') being generally planar, wherein the first element (11') and the second element (12') are generally parallel to one another, a tubular section (15') between the first element (11') and the second element (12'), the tubular section (15') having a hollow, smooth interior and providing a continuous passage through the first element (11') and the second element (12'), a threaded cartridge (800) comprising a hollow tubular member having a threaded inner portion, a first outer portion (822) which is smooth, and a second outer portion (824) having a securing structure engaging structure (826), and a securing structure (810), and wherein the smooth outer portion has a length and outer diameter corresponding to a length and inner diameter of the tubular section such that, when the threaded cartridge is inserted into the tubular section, the second outer portion is exposed beyond one of the first element and second element to engage the securing structure.
  9. The modular space frame support system of claim 8, wherein each of the at least four interconnection structures (10') further include at least one chord-engaging structure (78b').
  10. The modular space frame support system of claim 9, wherein each of the at least one chord-engaging structure (78b') comprises two plates (79a', 79b'), wherein each plate contains an opening (76a', 76b') therethrough.
  11. The modular space frame support system of claim 10, wherein each of the two plates (79a', 79b') is arcuate.
  12. The modular space frame support system of claim 10, wherein each of the two plates (79a', 79b') is circular.
  13. The modular space frame support system of any of claims 10-12, wherein the two plates (79a', 79b') are non-symmetrical.
  14. The modular space frame support system of any of claims 8-13, wherein the respective first end of each of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") and the respective second end of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") each include two plates (72a"', 72b'", 72c"', 72d‴), each of the two plates (72a"', 72b"', 72c‴, 72d‴) containing an opening (73a‴, 73b"', 73c"', 73d‴) therethrough.
  15. The modular space frame support system of any of claims 10-13, wherein the respective first end of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") and the respective second end of each of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") includes two plates (72a"', 72b"', 72c"', 72d‴), each of the two plates (72a"', 72b'", 72c"', 72d‴) containing an opening (73a‴, 73b‴, 73c"', 73d‴) therethrough, and a distance between the two plates (72a‴, 72b"', 72c‴, 72d‴) on the first and second ends of the plurality of diagonal chords (70") is less than the distance between the respective two plates (79a', 79b') of the chord-engaging structures (78b') of each of the at least four interconnection structures (10').

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to space frame assemblies which may be used as building components in forming floors, roofs, and walls, or as work platform and access systems such as for construction and maintenance of buildings, bridges and other structures. More particularly, this invention relates to a modular space frame support system which can be readily adapted to a variety of sizes and configurations. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many applications in the building industry where an easy to assemble and disassemble space frame assembly is desirable. Some examples are temporary floors, walls, and roofs, and the work platform systems employed to perform construction and maintenance tasks on various portions of buildings, bridges and other structures. Space frame assemblies which have been employed in the past have typically been constructed so that the task involved could be performed on one portion of a building or structure at a time. Work platform systems using modular components have previously been introduced, including, for example, USP 5,214,899, which provides a modular space frame utilizing a limited number of interchangeable components to form frame assemblies of various sizes and configurations. Such modular work platforms, however, are labor intensive to assemble. Further, such platforms are generally designed to use the minimum number of components necessary to achieve a desired maximum capacity. However, in some cases, only a portion of a platform will experience a particularly high load. Therefore, in view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide a space frame system, work platform system or other structure that addresses one or more of the above deficiencies or other problems. The following prior art documents can also be regarded as useful to understand the invention: 1) WO2019/143615A1 to SAFWAY SERVICES LLC discloses a modular space frame support system, work platform system and methods of erecting the same;2) US5203428A to BEECHE GREGORY L discloses a modular scaffolding platform and truss frame components therefor;3) WO2016/059574A1 to UNI POLITECNICA DELLE MARCHE discloses a "tensegral" (contraction of the two English words "tensional" and "integrity") plane wherein the covering element of glass sheets cooperates structurally with the other components of the plane;4) US4211044A to GUGLIOTTA PAUL F ET AL discloses a space frame system of the type in which two substantially parallel rectangular grid frames are interconnected by a plurality of diagonal struts. SUMMARY The invention is set out in the appended set of claims. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, it is advantageous to provide a space frame which is usable in a wide variety of applications. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, it is advantageous to provide a space frame which utilizes a limited number of interchangeable components to form space frame assemblies and work platform systems of various sizes and configurations. In accordance with the present invention as defined in claim 1, provided herein is a modular space frame support system comprising: at least two units of a modular space frame support system, each unit comprising: at least four elongate structural members, wherein a first and a second of the at least four elongate structural members forms a first pair of opposed elongate structural members and a third and a fourth of the elongate structural members forms a second pair of opposed elongate structural members, the first and second pairs of opposed elongate structural members joined together using at least four interconnection structures to define a substantially rectangular planar surface; a plurality of diagonal chords attached to a respective one of each of the at least four interconnection structures at a first end and each connected to at least one further interconnection structure at a second end; at least one further elongate structural member connected to and extending between one of the first pair of opposed elongate structural members and the second pair of opposed elongate structural members in a direction perpendicular to the one of the first pair of opposed elongate structural members and the second pair of opposed elongate structural members; and at least one deck platform secured to the at least two elongate structural members and the at least one further elongate structural member so as to cover at least a portion of the rectangular planar surface, wherein the deck platform of each of the at least two units is coplanar, and wherein the plurality of diagonal chords of a first of the at least two units each have a length less than the plurality of diagonal chords of a second of the at least two units. In accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention, each interconnection structure comprises: a first element being generally planar; a second element being generally planar,