Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes latching features that hold the truss member in a deployed configuration. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foldable truss assembly for commercial displays. The truss assembly includes a foldable end cap having a plurality of arm members connected to a plurality of end bars. The arm members are pivotally connected to the end bars forming a closed loop. The end cap includes an attachment member disposed at each pivotable connection. A plurality of substantially planar wall members are coupled to the attachment members of the end cap by receiving a portion of the end cap in a receiving opening of the wall members. A pair of bracing elements are connectable between diagonally opposing pivot locations of the end cap to stabilize the truss assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foldable truss support structure adapted for commercial displays. The truss structure includes a pair of wall members with elongated pivot members rotatably connected therebetween by internal hinges. The pivot members are foldable inwardly to allow the truss to fold into a compact form. In an alternative embodiment, a second pair of wall members are rotatably coupled to the first pair of wall members. A pair of outer hinges couples the wall members at one pair of diagonal corners and a pair of inner hinges couples the wall members at the other pair of diagonal corners. The truss members can be folded into a compact orientation for storage and shipping.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foldable truss assembly for commercial displays. The truss assembly includes a foldable end cap having a plurality of adjacently connected arm members. The arm members are pivotally connected at each end to an adjacent arm member to form a closed loop. The end cap includes an attachment member disposed at each pivotable connection. A plurality of substantially planar wall members are coupled to the attachment members of the end cap by receiving a portion of the end cap in a receiving opening of the wall members. A pair of pivot bars are connectable to diagonally opposite pivot locations of the end cap to stabilize the truss assembly. The pivot bars include a locking member connectable to the free ends of the pivot bars. The locking member prevents relative longitudinal displacement of the pivot bars and prevents the end caps from folding to stabilize and strengthen the truss assembly.

Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are hingedly connected together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes frictional hinge surfaces that hold the truss member in a deployed configuration. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.

Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes a locking frame that is removably attached to ends of the side members. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.

Abstract: A fastener connects an insert to a hollow tube. The fastener is formed to have a yoke portion extending between a pair of arm portions, all of which are formed arcuately to conform to the shape of tube. Arm portions have arcuate free ends with horizontally oriented seams. Arm portions include protuberances which then may be cammed between an engagement position with edges of openings in the tube and edges of a cavity space in insert and a disengageable position between the edges. The fastener includes a lifting handle that is spaced away from the tubes surface to form an access gap.

Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. The truss includes a locking frame that is removably attached to ends of the side members. A display structure can be formed by connecting a locking frame between two truss members.

Abstract: A foldable truss member suitable for commercial displays includes a plurality of side members that are adjacently hinged together. The side members include support members and bridging members having extensions. The side members are joined into a foldable structure with a hinge member between the support member and extensions of adjacent side members. A display structure can be formed by connecting locking members between two truss members.

Abstract: A space frame node including a hub, a facet device, and a transition connector for holding the facet deviced to the hub. For a planar node, the hub is formed by a pair of members fastened together such that receptor cavities are created between them so as to receive transition connectors, generally in the form of bolts. Any of a variety of facet devices are threaded onto the bolts. For a spherical node, three pairs of hub forming members facing one another are joined together at four legs with bolts and facet devices or alternatively nuts. In addition, facet devices may be installed in the intersecting regions of the legs of the hub forming members. These nodes are lightweight, are usable with quick connect/disconnect facet devices as necessary, and result in a reduction of field assembly time of space frame structures.

Abstract: Fastener (22) connects an insert (24) to a hollow tube (26). Fastener (22) is formed to have a yoke portion (58) extending between a pair of arm portions (56), all of which are formed arcuately to conform to the shape of tube (26). Arm portions (56) have arcuate free ends. Arm portions (56) include protuberances (60) which then may be cammed between an engagement position with edges (34) of openings (30) in tube (26) and edges (44) of cavity space (40) in insert (24) and a disengageable position with edges (34) and (44).

Abstract: A slat-wall is fastened at an edge to an elongated member. A metallic strap is formed to have first and second end portions and a central portion therebetween. The central portion fits about the elongated member so that the first and second end portions extend into a groove in the slat-wall. A screw is tightened to separate the first and second end portions against opposite sides of the groove.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a quick connect/disconnect mechanism for fastening structural members together. The inventive apparatus includes flanges with nonfacing ringular surfaces on each structural member. A bolt or other mechanism aligns the structural members and prevents movement in shear of one with respect to the other. A resilient clip having end portions which are U-shaped in cross section and which extend around more than one-half the circumference of the flanges fits onto the flanges to hold and clamp the structural members together.

Abstract: Interconnecting apparatus (10) for a pair of structural members or space frame assemblies is disclosed. Apparatus (10) includes a button (12) attached to an end of one structural member and a receiver (18) attached to the end of another structural member. Receiver (18) includes a cradle (38) with a wall (40) on one side and a lip (42) on the other. Button (12) fits snugly into cradle (38) between wall (40) and lip (42) and is retained there by a locking mechanism, such as clip (24). Interconnect mechanism (10) may be used in a variety of applications including connecting a pair of trusses together and creating a space frame structure.

Abstract: Interconnecting apparatus (10) for a pair of structural members or space frame assemblies is disclosed. Apparatus (10) includes a button (12) attached to an end of one structural member and a receiver (18) attached to the end of another structural member. Receiver (18) includes a cradle (38) with a wall (40) on one side and a lip (42) on the other. Button (12) fits snugly into cradle (38) between wall (40) and lip (42) and is retained there by a locking mechanism, such as clip (24). Interconnect mechanism (10) may be used in a variety of applications including connecting a pair of trusses together and creating a space frame structure.

Abstract: A modular proscenium theatre (20) is disclosed. Theatre (20) includes transverse truss beams (24) connected together by flat truss sections (26) supported on columns (22). Cantilevered members (28) support lights (30). A cross-over curtain (36) is hung from a traveler track (150). Side masking curtains (38) are adjustable longitudinally and rotatably. Other masking curtains and a cyclorama screen (40) may be provided. The framework, the lights and curtains are assembled near floor level and elevated with hoist motors (78) using pulleys (50) and cables (94). The entire theatre (20) may be assembled and disassembled with two people.