PNEUMATIC NODE FOR COMPRESSION ELEMENTS
A joint element for a pneumatic structural element. The joint element includes a sleeve, a compression member, two tension members and two spherical caps. In each case one joint element is fitted for the spherical caps. The joint elements serve for introducing tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into the pneumatic structural element. The joint element has holes for fastening the compression member with a screw, on the one hand, and holes for accommodating the tension members, on the other hand. The symmetrical arrangement of the holes ensures that the vectors of bearing forces and of the tensile and compressive forces in the joint element added together give zero and, furthermore, the bending moments occur symmetrically in relation to the compression members. Configuring the joint element as a plate ensures that torques are neither introduced from the outside nor diverted to the outside.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/517,787. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/517,787 is a national-stage application of International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2003/00020. International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2003/000207 was filed on Mar. 31, 2003. International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2003/000207 claims priority from Swiss Patent Application No. 1042/02, which was filed on Jun. 19, 2002. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/517,787, International Patent Application No. PCT/CH2003/000207, and Swiss Patent Application No. 1042/02 are each incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a joint element for pneumatic structural elements and associated connecting elements.
2. History of the Related Art
Joint elements for non-pneumatic structural elements are known per se, for example going by the name of MERO systems. The task of these joint elements is to introduce tensile and compressive forces, in a manner free of bending moments, into framework structures. A pneumatic structural element is known, for example, from European Patent Application 01 903 559.1 of the same inventor. The operation of connecting the structural element described in this document to a joint using known means, however, is not without problems since bending moments produced from the reaction to bearing pressure cannot be completely avoided without excessive outlay in respect of auxiliary structural means.
The object of the present invention is to provide a joint element which allows the tensile, compressive and bearing forces to be brought together without the occurrence of local bending moments and which, furthermore, also allows the bearing forces to be introduced into known and conventional structural elements.
A more complete understanding of the device of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings, wherein:
Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
At its ends, the sleeve 2 is closed by two spherical caps 5, for example made of the same material as the sleeve 2.
In
Also within the cylindrical part of the first portion 18, the cover 22 is likewise cylindrical and, there, contains an O-ring groove 23 with a second O-ring 24, which provides sealing against the inside of the cylindrical part of the sleeve 2. The sleeve 2 is clamped in between the plate 9 and the cover 22, in the conical or spherical part 21 of the opening, by the cover 22, and the latter is forced against the plate 9 by the positive pressure prevailing in the sleeve 2. The sealing function is performed, as has been described, by the two O-rings 20, 24. The rest of the plate 9 may be configured in accordance with
It is, of course, also possible for the cover 22, instead of being of spherical configuration, to have some other, for example planar, form, along with corresponding reinforcement of the wall.
A third exemplary embodiment of the joint element according to the invention is illustrated in
In the exemplary embodiment according to
Of course, it is also possible for the plate 9 according to
The possible formations either of the plate 9 itself—as has already been illustrated in FIG. 2—or of the plate 28 according to
Quadrilateral, or if need be square, plates 9, 28 can be used for connecting elements according to
A variant of this is shown in
The exemplary embodiment of
In the exemplary embodiment according to
In
As a variant to this, it is likewise possible for the plates 9 according to
Although various embodiments of the device of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying Drawings and described in the foregoing Detailed Description, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth herein.
Claims
1. A pneumatic structural element comprising:
- an elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body having a longitudinal axis, extending between opposing ends of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body;
- at least one compression member disposed on a longitudinal side of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body and longitudinally extending an entire length of the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body, the at least one compression member being subjected to axial compression responsive to an operational load applied to the pneumatic structural element;
- at least two flexible tension members wound around the elongated gas-tight inflatable hollow body and extending longitudinally between respective ends of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body, the at least two flexible tension members being subjected to axial tension and equal stresses responsive to the operational load;
- a rigid flange disposed at least at one end of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body and connected to both the at least one compression member and the at least two flexible tension members, such that the at least one compression member is disposed between the at least two flexible tension members;
- an opening disposed in the rigid flange for removably receiving an end of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body;
- wherein compression forces are transmitted to the at least two flexible tension members and tension forces are transmitted to the at least one compression member via the rigid flange; and
- wherein the at least two flexible tension members are connected to the rigid flange such that, responsive to the operational load, a supporting force acting on the rigid flange is substantially transmitted to the at least two flexible tension members and is substantially not transmitted to the gas-tight inflatable hollow body.
2. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 1, wherein
- the at least one compression member is connected to the rigid flange by way of a screw, the screw being received through a first hole in the rigid flange and fastened to the at least one compression member; and
- the at least two flexible tension members are received through at least two second holes in the rigid flange and fastened thereto with at least two nuts.
3. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 2, wherein the rigid plate-shaped element is a flange.
4. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 1, wherein:
- at least one end cap is received by and enclosed by the gas-tight inflatable hollow body;
- the at least one end cap can be introduced flush into the gas-tight inflatable hollow body; and
- the at least one end cap and the gas-tight inflatable hollow body are sealed in a gas-tight manner.
5. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 4, wherein:
- the at least one end cap comprises a cylindrical part disposed at least in part within the gas-tight inflatable hollow body and a non-cylindrical part disposed at least in part exterior of the gas-tight inflatable hollow body; and
- at least one first O-ring is disposed in a first O-ring groove disposed in the cylindrical part and a second O-ring is disposed in a second O-ring groove disposed in the opening of the rigid flange.
6. The pneumatic structural element of claim 1, comprising:
- a connecting element facilitates attachment of the rigid flange thereto; and
- wherein the connecting element is arranged such that bearing forces can be introduced into the rigid flange.
7. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element comprises:
- at least one first plate comprising at least one shoulder in which the at least one plate can be positioned; and
- at least one second plate comprising at least one piece and having a shoulder; and
- wherein the shoulder is screwed to the at least one first plate.
8. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 7, wherein the connecting element comprises a three-dimensional body made up, at least in part, of plates.
9. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 6, wherein the connecting element compises a frame structure on which the rigid flange is fastened.
10. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element is polygonal in at least one projection and at least one rigid flange is fastened on at least one side wall of the connecting element.
11. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 10, wherein the rigid flange can be fastened on a plurality of sides of the connecting element.
12. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 7, wherein the connecting element is rectangular and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that a pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another.
13. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 7, wherein the connecting element is curved and a plurality of joint elements can be fastened thereon, with the result that a pneumatic structural elements run parallel to one another.
14. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element comprises a tetrahedron shape and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element.
15. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element comprises a cube shaped external form and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element.
16. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 9, wherein the connecting element comprises a truncated pyramid external form and the rigid flange is fastened to a side of the connecting element.
17. The pneumatic structural element according to claim 9, wherein the rigid flange is fastened to the connecting element by way of at least one screw.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2011
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2011
Inventor: Mauro Pedretti (Biasca)
Application Number: 13/014,574
International Classification: E04B 1/34 (20060101);