Abstract: A collapsible-expandable truss structure 16 including first and second spaced surface truss layers (18, 20) having an attached core layer 22 is disclosed. The surface truss layers are composed of a plurality of linear struts 40 arranged in multiple triangular configurations with each linear strut being hinged at its center 41 and hingedly connected at each end thereof to a nodular joint 25. A passive spring 64 serves as the expansion force to move the folded struts from a stowed collapsed position to a deployed operative final truss configuration. Damper 62 controls the rate of spring 64 expansion for synchronized deployment of truss 16 as the folded configuration is released for deployment by restraint belts 72a and 73a synchronously extending under the control of motor (71) driven spools 72 and 73.

Abstract: A building structure having a plurality of substantially flat connector plate members, each having angularly related channel shaped receptacles to receive a plurality of load bearing girder, stud or rafter members. Each of the girder, stud or rafter members has a single channel shaped member for light constructions or a pair of oppositely directed channel shaped members having their webs secured together in back to back relation, and their flanges extending in opposite directions for use where heavy constructions or loads are involved. The girder, stud or rafter members are adapted to interfit with connector plate members in such a manner that the length of the girder, stud or rafter members can be extended in length by predetermined dimensional increments, such for example as at six inch spacings so as to readily permit the construction framework structures of any desired size.

Abstract: This invention relates to the slide connectors with locking means which are used to removably connect two boards in L-connection and/or three boards in T-connection and/or four boards in a cross connection. The slide connectors with locking means comprises an elongated member with four side surfaces having a retaining slide groove disposed in each of said four sides and a retaining slide rail matching to said retaining slide groove disposed on each end of the board to be connected into L or T or cross connections. One or both ends of said elongated member includes a threaded or a plain hole with a finite depth disposed at the center of the cross section of said elongated member, the cross section of which hole slightly extends into the root of said four retaining slide grooves; whereby, the crest of said retaining slide rail extends slightly into said hole.

Abstract: A new hub provides flexible or universal coupling for securing struts at the vertices of geodesic type grid or framework. Each hub is formed by a plurality of universal connectors securing adjacent pairs of converging struts forming a closed ring of universal connectors and converging struts at each vertex of the geodesic type spatial framework. Each connector includes a pair of hinge plates or faces positioned at the facing side surfaces of adjacent chords or struts converging at a vertex. Each hinge face is secured in parallel for rotation of the hinge face relative to the side surface of the strut during construction. The universal connectors are formed with hinge ears defining a hinge axis offset from the plane of the corresponding hinge face. Hinge ears from adjacent hinge faces of a universal connector overlap to define a common hinge axis.

Abstract: The coupling device for securing adjacent boards to construct a display case is molded from a plastic material and made in such a way, that a pair of plate members are spaced from each other to define a groove for receiving a corner of the board therein. The pair of plate members are connected by a pair of triangular prismatic portions extending on two adjacent sides thereof and with the two adjacent sides formed into a right angle, the groove is positioned opposite to the two adjacent sides. Along the longitudinal direction of the triangular prismatic portion a slot or a rod is alternatively provided, and a connecting member is provided with at least two complementary parts thereon for mating with the rods or the slots of at least two other triangular prismatic portions of two adjacent coupling devices, so as to connect the same.

Abstract: Co-operating coupling members for securing together elongated tubular frame elements in the construction of a shelter. The said coupling members comprise two configurations, each of which is adapted to be received in the open end of an associated frame element. With these two coupling configurations, as many as five or more frame elements can be connected at a juncture at selected angles to each other.

Abstract: An article of furniture including an elongated member and a telescoping assembly receiving and securing an end of the elongated member. The telescoping assembly includes first and second axially aligned collars, for drawing the first and second collars toward one another to secure the elongated member end therebetween, structure for drawing the member end toward the axis of the collars, and a tubular member extending between the first and second collars and through which the elongated member extends to support the elongated member against significant twisting with respect to the telescoping assembly.

Abstract: A joist girder construction includes connecting ties which connect adjacent ends of joist girders at a point where they are supported. The ties include a non-welded zone to afford plastic elongation of the tie. The ties create an axial connection force between the top chords to reduce the force a load causes within the joist girder to thus reduce the size of the upper and lower joist chords to minimize overall weight and expense.

Abstract: A damping spacer for overhead conductors comprises at least two rigid spacing arms, with each arm having means for clamping the same to a respective conductor. Each arm is provided with an integral hub structure for holding a composite elastomer damping element, the hub structures and damping element being mechanically held together by a pin means extending through the hub structures and damping element. The damping element is comprised of an inner structure made of a relatively soft elastomer material and an outer structure made of a relatively hard elastomer material. The soft elastomer is effective to dampen low amplitude, high frequency aeolian vibration, while the relatively hard elastomer is effective to dampen high energy, wake-induced oscillations in a conductor bundle. The hard material also serves as a stop mechanism to limit relative motion of the arms and hub structures. This provides protection for the soft elastomer and prevents clashing of the metal parts of the spacer.

Abstract: Connectors for joining struts used to form geodesic domes have first and second sets of semicylindrical portions located alternately on opposite sides of the longitudinal centerline of the connector. In the assembled joint, the first and second sets of adjacent connectors are interleaved and secured by pins or bolts forming hinge-like interconnections.

Abstract: An integrally formed releasable joint connector has a central bridge member with two bosses flexibly connected to the central bridge member and projecting in opposite directions from the opposite ends of the central bridge member. The two bosses are each generally cylindrical with an H-shaped transverse cross-section and are adapted to be received in and frictionally grip hollow structural members, such as tent poles, hollow frame members of a display counter, and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a connector for the elongated frame elements of a structural space frame and to a space frame employing the connectors. The connectors consist of three elements which are stacked one on the other on a common axis with the face of each element which abuts that of another including recessed formations which between the opposite element faces define sockets for trapping the headed ends of space frame members with the axes of the sockets between a first pair of element faces lying in a common plane and those between the second pair of faces being inclined relatively to and on the same side of the plane containing the axes of the sockets between the first pair of element faces and means for clamping the elements in the direction of their common axis.

Abstract: A joint for connecting tubular beams comprising two caps receiving deformed end portions of the beams therebetween. Each cap has a tapering tubular portion in contact with the end portions, each end portion having first and second outwardly diverging opposed faces and third and fourth inwardly converging opposed faces. The outer perimeter of the end portion is greater than the perimeter of an opening defined on the top and bottom by the two caps and on the sides by adjacent beams, so each end portion is highly resistant to forces tending to pull it from between the caps and must be mechanically deformed before it will be pulled through the opening.

Abstract: In an electrical switchboard, the body of an aluminum connector is welded to a riser bus. Bolts clamp a horizontal busbar in electrical connection with the connector body and, at the same time, fixture the horizontal busbar with a projection of the connector body protruding through an opening in the horizontal busbar. The projection is then welded to the horizontal busbar along the edges of the opening therein to create a bolted/welded joint electrically connecting the horizontal busbar to the riser bus. The projection is of sufficient height to accommodate plural coextensive horizontal busbars of a multiple bar bus run, common, bolted/welded electrical connection with the riser bus.

Abstract: A modular dome structure constructed by using uniform Y joints which have branches forming angles of 120.degree., 120.degree. and 108.degree.. The Y joints are interconnected by uniform length members to form pentagonal and hexagonal structures. These modular structures are interconnected to form a modular dome structure which may have a pentagonal apex structure or a hexagonal apex structure.All members are made to harden after inflation due to vulcanization and curing process, so that permanent resistance to stress and strain will be provided in its final form. Due to inflatability of members, the logistic involved in actual construction will be kept minimum, and the freight cost for material transportation will be saved significantly.

Abstract: This device relates to a structural material or joint comprising the combination of: a connector capable of connecting a rectangular pipe in an arbitrary direction, a spacer possible to insert into a penetrating hole perforated in the connector, a rectangular pipe which can be connected with a joint rod of the connector, and a pipe which is possible to install to the spacer.Especially, the structural material or joint according to this device relates to those capable of assembling the structures such as wall face in the shop and inside and outside the house, shelf of the ceiling etc., ornamental materials and the skeleton for the wall face and the like briefly and solidly.

Abstract: A basically metal frame coffee table or stacked shelves or the like employing a plurality of tubes of circular, square or other regular shape joining at intersections by an improved corner member. The improved corner member is preferably die cast in a single piece including a pair of arms which define connectors for two adjoining tubes and an orthogonal opening to receive a leg. The corner member includes an integral support for holding a shelf. The integral support conceals a fastening member employed to hold the leg in place. Each of the arms define at least one recess at a predetermined distance outward from the corner and located in intimate contact relationship with the frame tubing whereby the tubes may be assembled to the corners merely by staking the underside of the frame to deform the tube locally into the recess of the corner member and thereby produce a fixed permanent frame.

Abstract: A play gym comprising a horizontal bar from which swings and other rides are suspended is supported at its opposite ends by legs. Special pivot joints connect the pairs of legs to the horizontal bar which permit each pair of legs to be folded together and against the horizontal bar so that the gym can assume a stick-like configuration. When the legs are unfolded to support the horizontal bar, parts of the pivot joints engage the ends of the horizontal bar thereby preventing end-wise movement and racking of the play gym. Provision is also made for substituting one pair of legs by a horizontal pivot arrangement which can be secured to a vertical support so that the gym can be used in a small area and be folded out of the way against the support when not in use.

Abstract: A helicopter rotor head mounting assembly includes a rotor drive shaft and rotor hub splined to the shaft for rotation therewith. The rotor hub includes a central bore having an internal tapered portion which is forced downwardly upon a mating tapered portion of the rotor drive shaft. An annular split cone is mounted between the rotor shaft and the hub at a bottom portion of the hub bore and the split cone is forced upwardly into firm engagement with the hub and drive shaft by means of a plurality of individual loading means which are carried by an annular plate affixed to the bottom of the hub. The loading means are individually adjustable and apply loading force directly onto the split cone to thereby assure a secure, non-vibrational rotation of the hub with the rotor shaft.

Abstract: The shelving system includes a plurality of shelves each having square shelf openings at each corner. A plurality of leg supports in turn have upper end portions receivable in the bottom of the shelf openings and lower end portions receivable in the top of the shelf openings and within the upper end portions of the leg supports positioned in the bottom of the shelf openings so that the upper end portions of legs are nested in the shelf openings and the lower end portions of legs extending into the top of the shelf openings are nested within the upper end portions of these legs. Any number of successive shelves can be assembled to the top end portions of the upper legs. The nested square shelf opening, upper end portion of a leg and lower end portion of another leg at each corner are secured or mechanically locked by manually passing a clip through the nesting side walls.

Abstract: A clamp-connector for joining tubular members. The tubular members need not be threaded, welded, drilled, or bolted. The clamp-connector consists briefly of a sheet metal bracket formed with quarter-round portions for cradling the tubular members and openings for receiving the clamps. The clamps are standard worm gear clamps with perforated straps. The brackets may be shaped to hold the tubular members in two or more planes.

Abstract: A framework joint comprises a square open-ended tube and a connector fitting comprising a preferably cubical hub portion having a tube-receiving projection or post extending from one of two or more faces thereof having a similar projection. Each tube-receiving projection has diametrically opposed portions of maximum spacing adapted frictionally to engage the opposed flat inner surfaces of a square tube and diametrically opposing portions of lesser spacing between said portions of maximum spacing and which provide clearance for the passage of a flexible resilient locking tongue inclining inwardly and axially from the wall of the square tube. The locking tongue preferably has a convex shape to be engageable by the recessed radially outwardly facing surface of a groove formed in the associated tube-receiving projection of the connector fitting.

Abstract: A construction kit comprises male and female elements, preferably of molded plastic material, for assembly into various model structures. The male elements have cubic bodies with studs protruding from two or more faces and the female elements are elongated U-section pieces having corresponding square end walls with keyhole-shaped openings for receiving and gripping shanks of the studs whose heads are guided and held between the lateral walls of the female elements. The male elements can be formed of interengaging pieces, and may possibly be pivotally joined. The kit may include various accessories such as panels, struts, pulleys, wheels with removable toothed rings or tines, a motor and so forth to complete the desired structure.

Abstract: A structural connection means comprising a block structure having a plurality of outer faces and a hollow interior compartment. An aperature is provided in each of the faces and communicates with the hollow interior. A recessed portion is provided at the outer end of each aperature and is in communication with each of the faces. The recesses are adapted to receive a closure plug. Each of the aperatures is adapted to receive a threaded stud bolt which is adapted to be connected to structural members to secure the same to the connector block. Modified forms of the block are also disclosed adapted to provided different means for securing the studded thread bolt to the structural member.

Abstract: At both top and bottom of end portions of beams, welded steel plate connector assemblies having side straps are bolted to the beams, a bridge plate welded to the side straps and one or more threaded studs welded to the bridge plate and extending through and nuts tightened behind a facet plate of a separate polygonal hub assembly. The central hub assembly includes a polygonal tube and stiffening plates and gussets in the tube. A clearance between the connector assemblies and the central hub effects a joint where the beam remains in abutment with its facet of the hub for tension forces as well as compression forces. The beams have daps and/or kerfs, and also clearance grooves for the studs to permit the connectors to be slid from retracted positions to positions in which the studs extend through the bolt holes in the hub.

Abstract: Furniture and room components are assembled in various combinations to form a wide variety of furniture units or room partition units, with the units easily disassembled when desired. The components include vertical support members, horizontal connecting members and connecting joints therefor.

Abstract: A modular post and beam joint includes slidably and tightly interfitting transverse beam members and primary and secondary post members. The latter define slots receiving the interfitting transverse beam members, as well as fingers which project endwise oppositely at the four corners defined by the transverse beam members.

Abstract: A device for spacing overhead, parallel subconductors of a conductor bundle and for damping vibrations of the subconductors. The device comprises rigid, elongated arms pivotally connected together at one end of each arm and having a clamp at the other end of each arm for attaching the arms to respective subconductors. A resilient, viscoelastic pad or disc is disposed between the arms in opposed recesses provided in the arms at the location at which the arms are pivotally connected together, the pad or disc providing the primary damping mechanism for the device.

Abstract: A device for spacing overhead, parallel subconductors of a conductor bundle and for damping vibrations of the subconductors. The device comprises rigid, elongated arms pivotally connected to each other by a rigid means at one end of each arm, with the other end of each arm being radially spaced from the rigid means and provided with a clamp for attaching the arm to a subconductor. Resilient damping devices, such as close coil springs, are secured in the arms at a location adjacent the rigid means pivotally connecting the arms to each other.