Abstract: In a space frame of the type having upper and lower grids of tubular longitudinal and lateral chord members, (10, 11), the nodes or intersections of chords (10, 11) of the upper and lower grid being interconnected by oblique struts (14), the chords (10, 11) are flattened at each intersection and overlapped, the struts (14), which are also tubular, being flattened and deformed at their ends to form attachment pads (15), bolts (17) connecting the attachment pads (15) and overlapped flattened chord sections (12) and also load distribution plates (19, 20, 21, 22) of which one (22) has side edges abutting against shoulders or abutments (16) on the struts (14) adjacent to the attachment pads (15), and others (19, 20, 21) have corner portions bearing on the ends of the top and bottom of the flattened sections (12) of the chord members.

Abstract: A space frame consists mainly of a number of frame members, assemblies of which have their ends co-joined at nodes, the frame members connected at nod being an assembly of chords and in many cases, a further assembly of oblique struts. At a node, the nodal end of each frame member of an assembly includes transversely stepped upper and lower parts, the upper part being superimposed on the lower part of the nodal end of the next succeeding frame member of the assembly each pair of upper and lower parts superimposed at the node being secured together, for example bolts.