US3341990A - Continuous space frame - Google Patents

Description

p 19, 1967 w. J. MOUTON, JR 3,341,990

CONTINUOUS SPACE FRAME Filed Feb. 12, 1965 I5 Sheets-Sheet l I NVENT OR Mum/w J Mouram J2.

m, M, %W% wd/s ATTORNEYS Sept. 19, 1967 w J. MOUTON, JR

CONTINUOUS SPACE FRAME 3 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1965 INVENTOR, Mum/W J, Mauro/v, Je.

ATTORNEYS p 19, 1967 w. J. MOUTON, JR 3,343,990

CONTINUOUS SPACE FRAME Filed Feb. 12, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR, Mia/4M J M0070, J/Z.

fg g wa flumw ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,341,990 CONTINUOUS S?ACE FRAME William J. Mouton, .lr., 1800 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, La. 70121 Filed Feb. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 432,353 7 Claims. (Q1. 5286) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A space frame comprising a plurality of trusses of triangular cross section constructed to have substantial lateral and torsional flexibility, the trusses being interconnected in parallel contiguous relation in a manner to mutually support each other against lateral deflection, each truss having a single bottom chord. The trusses are constructed to have substantial rigidity in a vertical plane as well as to mutually reinforce each other vertically and are continuous in length so as to completely span the width of a roof or other structure so that the trusses may be pre-assembled on the ground and raised into place individually or in small groups. By use of means interconnecting the bottom chords of adjoining trusses, the chords may be spaced apart at uniform intervals which may be selected either to provide a structure of simple curvature conforming to that of the arched trusses or of compound curvature including curvature in a plane transverse to the trusses. The lateral flexibility of the trusses permits deformation of the trusses as is necessary to enable them to conform to the compound curvature, even though they are of uniform width. In order to contribute to the light weight of the trusses and to facilitate their assembly in a space frame, the chords of the respective trusses are unitary for jointless construction to completely span the entire space frame.

This invention relates to improvements in a continuous space frame as well as in the structural components thereof.

Most space frames have been customarily built of a multiplicity of small structural units which are joined together or interconnected incident to assembly of the entire frame, the units being generally of special construction and requiring to be interconnected in special manner, incident to erection of a space frame structure. Where the span to be covered is great, it has been found necessary to provide such units of comparatively heavy construction. All of this has resulted in the expenditure of considerable time and expense for fabrication of the individual units, plus the on-site assembly with the units of the various parts required for bracing and strengthening the frame.

As contrasted to this, the present invention comprises a continuous space frame arranged to be easily erected from a plurality of identical, comparatively lightweight and economically produced prefabricated and prearched trusses, each extending for the entire span of the space frame. These are operatively positioned in parallel contiguous relation, either individually or in preassembled groups to form a continuous space frame in which the top chords of the relatively adjoining frames are interconnected in flush relationship, while the bottom chords are interconnected by a series of cross bars c0- extensive in width respectively with the space frame.

It is a further feature of the invention that it requires but two different types of units to be assembled and welded or otherwise interconnected at the assembly site. These include the trusses above mentioned, and cross bars extending transversely to and interconnecting the trusses. The trusses form the longitudinal or span mem- 3,3413% Patented Sept. 19, 1967 bers of the frame and are of triangular cross section embodying the two relatively laterally spaced top chords above referred to, and a single bottom chord coextensive in length with the top chords.

The top chords and their connecting web in addition to serving as structural members of the frame, also function to define glazing frames for reception of glass or other preferably rigid panels and, in addition, are adapted for interconnection to the top chords of adjacent members as by bolting, at locations so selected as to avoid weakening of the resulting frame structure.

It is a particular feature of the invention to so form the individual prefabricated trusses that they are capable of great versatility in their usage, to the end that identical trusses may be employed to define either a simply curved space frame in which the curvature is that of the individually prefabricated and prearched trusses, or to define a compoundly curved space frame in which the relatively adjoining arched trusses are in somewhat angular relation relative to each other in a direction transverse to their span.

The individual prefabricated trusses, while arranged to provide ample structural strength in the complete frame, may be of extreme light weight and have substantial lateral and torsional flexibility so that when assembled to define a compoundly curved frame, they may be readily flexed or deformed to the extent necessary to perrnit the assembly of a plurality of trusses to assume the desired laterally curved configuration, even though the individual trusses are of uniform width throughout their respective spans. While it would normally be expected that the double or compound curvature of such a frame would require that the trusses be narrower at their ends than at their midportions, it has been found that where the transverse rise of the respective arched trusses does not exceed about 15% of their span, the trusses, even though fabricated of uniform width, can when assembled so accommodate themselves by lateral flexing and twisting as to jointly define a laterally continuous weathertight shell. In fact, where the top chords are interconnected by web members arranged to cooperate with the top chords in defining rectangular glazing frames of uniform dimension, any deformation of these normally resulting from use of the trusses in a compoundly curved frame or translational shell is so insignificant as to still permit the formation of such a shell using all the same size rectangular panels in the respective glazing frames.

By virtue of the light and simplified structure of the trusses, their light weight and complete prefabrication prior to assembly on the site, plus the fact that such trusses may be readily formed from cheap, commercially available components such as conventional hot rolled steel angles, Ts, rods, or pipe of weldable steel, the resulting trusses themselves may be quite economically produced. Moreover, the ease and simplicity with which they may be assembled permits the construction of a space frame at a cost which is but a fraction of that heretofore required for construction in accordance with prior practices.

Where the space frame is to be of the doubly curved type, the triangular cross sectional shape of the respective trusses and their flexibility as above described permits the ready achievement and control of the lateral curvature of the shell or space frame simply by control of the distance between the bottom chords of laterally adjoining trusses. Such distance is readily controlled and fixed by the cross rods by controls of the interval at which said cross rods are welded to the respective bottom chords.

For a more detailed explanation of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which 3 there is illustrated the preferred embodiment of the in vention, together with certain variations thereof.

Thus in the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a continuous space frame of the simply curved type.

FIGURE 2 is a relatively enlarged plan view on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, of a portion only of the space frame shown in FIGURE 1, including but a pair of relatively adjoining trusses, from which the glass panels have been omitted for purposes of clarity.

FIGURE 3 is an elevation of the structure shown in FIGURE 2, but with the glass panels in place, the support being shown fragmentarily and in section.

FIGURE 4 is a detail plan section on the line 44 of FIGURE 3 showing certain details of the manner in which the truss is anchored to its support.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the same truss structure shown in FIGURE 3, with one of the glass panels shown in position just prior to being seated on the truss in its associated glazing frame.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged detail cross section on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary view taken in the same plane as FIGURE 3 showing a modified form of truss adapted for supporting two relatively spaced layers of glass panels.

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatical perspective view of a simply curved space frame such as is defined by a plurality of laterally adjoining and interconnected trusses in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary cross section on the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 10 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a compoundly curved space frame or translational shell formed by the identical trusses employed in the structure of FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 11 is a magnified fragmentary section on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10.

Referring now in detail to the accompanying drawings, the preferred embodiment of the space frame, as illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 6', 8 and 9 respectively, is a simply curved one which is formed from a plurality of identical trusses, each designated T in its entirety interconnected in relatively parallel and laterally contiguous relation. The opposite ends of each truss T rest on relatively fixed spaced supports respectively designated as S in FIGURES 1 and 3 and are secured to said respective supports as by anchor bolts 10, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4.

As will be apparent from FIGURES 5 and 9, each of the plurality of identical trusses employed in construction of the space frame is of triangular shape in cross section comprising a pair of relatively parallel laterally spaced top chords 11 and 12, and a bottom chord 13. The web between the top chords 11 and 12 of each truss is defined by a series of cross bars 14, which extend perpendicularly between and interconnect the top chords 11 and 12 as by being Welded thereto. The cross bars 14 are preferably uniformly spaced and both they and the top chords 11 and 12 are shaped to define a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned glazing frames, designated as G in FIGURES 2- and 5, for reception of correspondingly shaped and dimensioned panels of glass 15, or other preferably rigid transparent material, though obviously if desired the glazing frames are also adapted for reception of rectangular panels of any suitable preferably rigid material. Moreover, the parallel arrangement of the cross bars 14 contributes materially to the lateral flexibility of the individual trusses, to permit their assembly in a compoundly curved space frame, as described hereinafter.

It is an important feature of the invention that the top chords 11 and 12 and the bottom chord 13 be continuous and substantially coextensive in length with the span of the truss in which they are incorporated. Preferably the top chords 11 and 12 comprise steel angles having their lateral flanges directed toward each other and the cross bars 14 respectively comprise structural steel members of inverted T section with their lateral flanges in the same plane as those of the top chords 11 and 12. Thus the respective top chords 11 and 12 cooperate with each pair of relatively adjoining cross bars 14 to define a rectangular glazing frame in which the panels of glass 15 are adapted to be laterally confined within the upstanding vertical flanges and seated on the lateral flanges of their respective members 11, 12, 1414, defining each such glazing frame G. The respective glass panels 15 may be secured and sealed within their respective frames by any conventional glazing compound 16 as indicated in FIGURE 6-.

The bottom chord 13 of each truss is equidistantly spaced from and below the top chords 11 and 12 by webs respectively comprising a plurality of alternately oppositely inclined bracing members 17 and 18 respectively, formed of steel rods having their upwardly diverging ends of the oppositely inclined members 17 and 18 of each pair welded to their associated top chords 11 or 12 and the downwardly converging and intersecting lower ends thereof welded to the bottom chord 13. Preferably the members 17 and 18 of each pair constitute integral portions of a common length of rod which, at their converging and interconnected ends, are bent about a radius substantially equal to that of the cross rods 20 which interconnect the bottom chords 13 of the respective trusses completely across the space frame.

The V-shaped braces defined by the interconnected bracing members 17 and 1 B are employed for connecting each top chord 11 and 12 to the bottom chord 13. These are arranged on each truss in laterally registering pairs in which all of the members 17 and 18 converge or intersect at a common point along the bottom chord 13 at which point all of said members are suitably welded to the bottom chord 13. The joints thus defined will rnanifestly be spaced uniformly along the length or span of the bottom chord 13.

In order to provide adequate support for the respective trusses T on the spaced supports S, the respective ends of each truss may be formed as shown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 to provide a vertically disposed rectangular frame including relatively spaced perpendicular angle legs 21 and 22 depending from the respective top chords 11 and 12 at the location of the terminal cross bar 14- which functions as the top horizontal member of the said rectangular frame. Affixed to and supported between the lower end of the depending legs 21 and 22 is a horizontal base member 23 which is adapted to rest on the support S to be secured or anchored thereon by anchor bolts 10 as earlier described.

This base 23 is rigidly connected to the adjacent end portion of bottom chord 13 by the structural members 24 and 25 respectively which are welded to the opposite ends of base member 23, as well as to each other and to the rod 13, to form a rigid triangular frame, the connection of which to the rod 13 is preferably substantially coincident with the joint formed by the connections of the relatively adjacent members 17 and 18 with the lower chord 13. The connection between the chord 13 and members 24 and 25 may be reinforced by the triangular reinforcing plate 26, shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, to which the chord 13 also may be welded.

The rectangular frame defined by members 14, 21, 22 and 23 may function as a ventilating opening and, if desired, may have disposed therein a ventilating fan, louvers or the like, which, being of purely conventional nature, are not shown. Such a ventilating opening is desirably protected by an overhanging eaves structure defined by a rectangular glazing frame generally designated 27 sup porting a glass panel 15, similar to the panels contained in the glazing frames G of the rest of the truss. This lastmen-tioned glazing frame 27 in turn is supported at its E a outermost end by the diagonal struts or braces 28 and 29. through which it is connected to the lower ends of the depending legs 21 and 22 respectively.

In constructing the space frame, an adequate supply of identical trusses T having the desired curvature or arch incorporated therein will be prefabricated in complete form, except that the glass panels 15 will normally be omitted. S-uch omission maintains the weight of the frames at a minimum in order to facilitate their handling, and also reduces the likelihood of breakage of glass incident to assembling the trusses.

The respective trusses may then be mounted in succession, either individually or in preconnected groups of two or more on the relatively spaced supports S, being hoisted from the ground level into proper position on the supports by conventional power equipment. When positioned on the supports, adjoining trusses will be in parallel contiguous relationship with each other and, as is indicated in FIGURES 2 and 9, the vertical edges of adjoining top chords 11 and 12 of each pair of relatively contiguous trusses will be secured in flush face-to-face relationship by connectors such as bolts 30. These bolts are preferably located closely adjacent the joints between said top chords and their associated web members 17 and 18 so as to avoid any weakening or decreasing of the load-carrying capability of the truss.

When the trusses are all thus positioned and interconnected by their relatively adjoining chords 11 and 12, they will obviously define a laterally continuous frame, as well as one which is continuous in the direction of the span of the trusses.

The cross rods 20, which are coextensive in length with the width or lateral extent of the space frame, are welded to and fixedly interconnect the bottom chords 13 of all of the trusses to lend lateral rigidity to the entire space frame structure. Normally the glass panels 15 will be placed in the respective frames G and 27 only after the entire structure is completely assembled, it being understood that such glass panels will be sealed in place by a conventional glazing compound such as thiokol in a manner well known in the glazing art.

A feature which particularly facilitates the accurate positioning of the cross rods 20, both initially and during their welding to the bottom chords 13 and/or brace members 17 and 18, consists in the fact that the V-shaped braces defined by the interconnected bracing members 17 and 18 of all of the trusses are arranged at regularly spaced intervals along the spans of the trusses, with the said brace members in laterally aligned series for the entire width of the space frame. Thus thet rods it), upon being inserted between the opposed converging members 17 and 18 of the frames of each series, will be automatically positioned by said converging legs in proper location for the welding operation by which they are fixedly secured to the bottom chords 13 and members 1'7, 18.

Where the space frame is to have but a simple curvature, namely that which is provided by its prearched trusses, the cross rods 21 will be rectilinear and as shown in FIGURE 9, will be relatively spaced apart by distances D which are equal to the widths or lateral dimensions of their respective trusses as defined by their laterally spaced upper chords 11 and 12 respectively, it being apparent that FIGURE 9 is an enlarged cross section of substantially that portion of FIGURE 8 which is contained between the solid lines a and b of FIGURE 8.

Obviously, the cross rods 20 not only provide lateral rigidity for the interconnected trusses, but control the angular relationship between the upper surfaces of laterally adjoining trusses.

If, instead of connecting the bottom chords 13 to the cross rods 20 at intervals which are equal to the lateral dimensions D of the respective trusses as in FIGURE 9, these intervals are relatively shortened as at D1 in FIG- URE 11, each pair of laterally adjoining trusses will be slightly tilted about their interconnected upper chords 1] and 12, so that their upwardly presented panels and surfaces are at a slight angle to each other. Once this angle is determined, the welding of the cross rods 20' to the respective bottom chords 13 will permanently secure the adjoining trusses in this angular relationship, so that the resulting space frame, in addition to the curvature provided by the prearched trusses thereof, will incorporate a further curvature in a vertical plane transverse to the spans of the trusses, or in other words will be compoundly curved. In such case, the cross rods 20' will each assume a curved or arched shape conforming to the lateral curvature of the space frame in the manner indicated in FIGURE 11.

In such event it is to be understood that the bearing surfaces of the supports such as exemplified at S in FIG- URE 1 may be curved to correspond to the desired lateral curvature of the resulting space frame. Alternatively, in this type of frame it will be apparent that supporting piers or the like may be employed only at the ends of the trusses respectively defining the four corners of the space frame, while the corners of each laterally opposed pair may be interconnected by tensioned ties, in known manner (not shown) or the ends of the trusses may be buttressed in suitable manner to provide adequate support for the entire space frame structure.

Such use of the trusses of uniform width in forming a compoundly curved space frame or translational shell is manifestly contrary to normal expectations, since it would normally be anticipated that the respective contiguously arranged trusses would have to be of comparatively reduced width at their respective ends. Nothwithstanding this, it has been found that where the rise of the assembled trusses in a vertical plane transverse to their lengths is but moderate, the trusses by virtue of their extremely light construction as here taught will individually have sufiicient lateral and torsional flexibility that they may be deformed or flexed in a manner to achieve the desired compound curvature in a continuous space frame despite their apparent unsuitability for this purpose. Where the rise is so great as to leave gaps between mid-portions of adjoining trusses, these may be filled by suitably shaped fillers. Obviously the assembly of trusses will laterally reinforce each other.

In a modified form, as shown fragmentarily in FIGURE 7, a space frame in accordance with the invention may be adapted to support a pair of relatively spaced upper and lower layers of glass panels to provide therebetween an insulating air space through which the air may, if desired, be circulated through openings such as defined by the rectangular frame structure 14, 21, 22 and 23 in FIG- URE 5, in order to avoid condensation of moisture.

In order to thus provide for the support of the two spaced layers of glass, the form of the lower chord 13 in FIGURE 7 is that of an inverted T in cross section, and the bottom chords 13' of adjoining trusses will be interconnected by cross bars 31, also of inverted T cross section and cooperating with the adjacent bottom chords 13 to define a series of glazing frames providing horizontal ledges on which the glass panels 15' may be supported.

Space frames employing short-length members with mechanical connections, or requiring that they be fieldwelded have not come into widespread use. It is believed that this is because the cost is several times greater than that of conventional structural steel frames or enclosures.

As contrasted to this, space frames constructed in accordance with the present invention have in actual practice been completed with the glazing installed therein at a cost less than that of the conventional steel long-span frame with a built-up roof. Such economy is made possible by the extreme lightweight properties of the respective trusses with their inherently efficient structural arch, the ease of prefabrication of the respective triangular trusses in long lengths with continuous top and bottom chords, and also the feature of the web members defined by the V-shaped or bent rods as well as the ease of accurate assembly and positioning of the cross rods which is facilitated by these V-shaped rods or web members. This results in a considerable reduction in the total number of pieces to be handled in fabrication as constrasted to prior practice. The economy of construction is contributed to by the extreme case and simplicity of erection of the prefabricated trusses which in addition to their easy handling, require to be assembled only with each other and with the cross rods to define the complete space frame. It is of course advantageous that the trusses may be readily formed from conventional and commercially available hot-rolled steel angles, Ts, rods, pipes or the like, with a wide latitude for design. Moreover, in the production of compoundly curved space frames, it is possible to achieve even greater economy due to the face that the identical trusses of uniform width which are employed in simply curved frames, also lend themselves to use also in forming frames having compound curvature.

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, the curvature of the trusses is preferably parabolic in cases where they are required to cover long spans and to be maximum load-supporting capability. However, in lesser spans, the arches may be in the form of arcuate or other types of curves or may even extend rectilinearly where they are to span but short distances.

In this application, I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention and a limited number of modifications thereof. However, it is by no means my intention that the invention be limited to the specific forms of the invention illustrated, but that it also shall include various other modifications and adaptations within the scope of the appended claims and such as would be obvious to persons skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A space frame comprising relatively spaced fixed supports, a plurality of trusses interconnected in parallel laterally contiguous relation and having their opposite ends resting on and anchored to said supports; each said truss being of uniform width throughout its span and comprising a pair of continuous laterally spaced parallel top chords each of unitary structure and coextensive in length with the span of said truss; a series of cross bars extending transversely between and welded to said top chords, and therewith defining a plurality of uniformly dimensioned rectangular glazing frames; said chords being sufliciently light and flexible to render each truss sub stantially flexible laterally means fixedly interconnecting the relatively adjacent top chords of relatively contiguous trusses to jointly define a laterally continuous space frame surface in which said contiguous trusses mutally reinforce each other against lateral flexing, said trusses respectively being uniformly arched in the planes of their respective spans to impart a correspondingly arched shape to said surface; each of said trusses being of triangular cross section, and further including a continuous unitary bottom chord substantially coextensive in length with said top chords and equidistant from its said top chords; a plurality of alternately oppositely inclined bracing members rigidly connecting each of said top chords to said bottom chord; said space frame further comprising a plurality of relatively spaced cross rods respectively coextensive in length with the width of said frame, and extending transversely across and welded to the respective bottom chords.

2. A space frame comprising relatively spaced fixed supports, a plurality of trusses interconnected in parallel laterally contiguous relation, at least some of said trusses having their opposite ends resting on and anchored to said supports; each said truss being constructed to have substantial lateral and torsional flexibility and being of uniform with throughout its span and comprising a pair of continuous laterally spaced parallel top chords each of unitary construction and coextensive in length with the span of said truss; a series of cross bars extending transversely between and rigidly interconnected to said top 8 chords, and therewith defining a plurality of similarly shaped and dimensioned glazing frames for the reception of correspondingly shaped and dimensioned panels of transparent material, means fixedly interconnecting the relatively adjacent top chords of relatively contiguous trusses to jointly define a laterally continuous space frame in which said trusses mutually reinforce each other against lateral deflection; said trusses respectively being uniformly arched in planes parallel to their said chords to impart a correspondingly arched shape to said space frame, and being horizontally aligned with each other laterally, each of said trusses being of triangular cross section, and further including a continuous unitary bottom chord below and equidistant from its said top chords; webs rigidly connecting each of said top chords to said bottom chord, said space frame further comprising a plurality of relatively spaced cross rods respectively coextensive in length with the width of said frame, and extending transversely across and aflixed to the respective bottom chords,

3. A space frame as defined in claim 2, including means carried by said bottom chords defining a plurality of glazing frames of similar size and shape for the reception of correspondingly shaped and dimensioned glass panels.

4. A space frame as defined in claim 2, in which the opposite ends of the respective trusses are formed to define ventilating openings.

5. A space frame as defined in claim 2, wherein said cross bars are parallel to each other to permit lateral flexibility of said truss, while said webs comprise diagonally arranged braces cooperating with portions of said chords to define triangular structures for imparting vertical rigidity to the truss.

6. A space frame comprising relatively spaced fixed supports, a plurality of trusses interconnected in parallel laterally contiguous relation, at least some of said trusses having their opposite ends resting on and anchored to said supports; each said truss being of uniform Width throughout its span and comprising a pair of continuous laterally spaced parallel top chords each of unitary con struction and coextensive in length with the span of said truss; each of said trusses being constructed to have substantial lateral and torsional flexibility, a series of relatively parallel spaced cross bars extending transversely between and interconnected to said top chords to permit lateral flexibility thereof, and therewith defining a plurality of similarly dimensioned rectangular glazing frames; correspondingly shaped and dimensioned panels of glass secured in weathertight manner in the respective frames; connecting means fixedly interconnecting the relatively adjacent top chords of relatively contiguous trusses to jointly define a laterally continuous space frame surface; said trusses respectively being uniformly arched in planes respectively parallel to their said chords to impart a correspondingly arched shape to said surface; and being disposed in arched formation laterally to their respective spans, each of said trusses being of triangular cross section, and further including a bottom chord below and equidistant from its said top chords, webs rigidly connecting each of said top chords to said bottom chord, said space frame further comprising a plurality of relatively spaced cross rods respectively coextensive in length with the width of said frame, and fixedly connected to the respective bottom chords at uniform intervals less than the width of each truss for securing said trusses in their laterally arched formation; said connecting means laterally flexing the respective trusses as necessary to secure them in contiguous relation.

7. A space frame comprising a plurality of identical longitudinally arched trusses disposed in parallel laterally contiguous relation, said trusses respectively being of uniform width throughout their respective spans and capable of limited lateral flexing, each said truss being constructed to have substantial lateral and torsional flexibility and comprising a pair of parallel laterally spaced top chords and relatively uniformly spaced cross bars extending transversely between and interconnecting said top chords, said top chords and cross bars jointly defining a plurality of uniformly shaped and dimensioned glazing frames, means interconnecting adjoining top chords of relatively adjacent trusses, glass panels in the respective glazing frames, and bottom chords equidistant from and rigidly interconnected to said respective top chords; means interconnecting said bottom chords at uniformly spaced intervals less than the widths of the respective trusses, to relatively tilt said tr-usses about their respective interconnections, said interconnecting means laterally flexing the respective trusses in planes common to the respective upper chords of each truss to maintain the contiguous relationship between said trusses despite such relative tilting.

10 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,070,434 8/ 1913 Farquhar 52-90 2,284,898 6/ 1942 Hatman 52-696 2,939,554 6/1960 Bolton et al 52--650 2,979,169 4/ 1961 Yolles 52650 3,049,196 8/1962 Attwood 52-648 FOREIGN PATENTS 129,502 10/ 1948 Australia. 946,460 1/ 1964 Great Britain.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

I. L. RIDGILL, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 7. A SPACE FRAME COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL LONGITUDINALLY ARCHED TRUSSES DISPOSED IN PARALLEL LATERALLY CONTIGUOUS RELATION, SAID TRUSSES RESPECTIVELY BEING OF UNIFORM WIDTH THROUGHOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE SPANS AND CAPABLE OF LIMITED LATERAL FLEXING, EACH SAID BEING CONSTRUCTED TO HAVE SUBSTANTIAL LATERAL AND TORSIONAL FLEXIBILITY AND COMPRISING A PAIR OF PARALLEL LATERALLY SPACED TOP CHORDS AND RELATIVELY UNIFORMLY SPACED CROSS BARS EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY BETWEEN AND INTERCONNECTING SAID TOP CHORDS, SAID TOP CHORDS AND CROSS BARS JOINTLY DEFINING A PLURALITY OF UNIFORMLY SHAPED AND DIMENSIONED GLAZING FRAMES, MEANS INTERCONNECTING ADJOINING TOP CHORDS OF

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