Node for a space frame

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9731773-B2
Application number	US-201514645092-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2015
Priority date	Mar 11, 2015
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A node, comprising:
a core;
a projection extending from the core;
a structural member configured to be attached to the projection;
a top cover including a top recess configured to receive the structural member;
a bottom cover including a bottom recess configured to receive the structural member;
a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover;
wherein the structural member has a node attach portion disposed at a first end of the structural member;
wherein the projection is configured to slidingly receive the node attach portion of the structural member; and
wherein the core includes a cover plate having a cover edge and the projection is attached to the cover edge.

2. The node of claim 1 , wherein, the structural member is a first structural member having a first longitudinal axis, the projection is a first projection, the top recess is a first top recess, the bottom recess is a first bottom recess, and the node further includes:
a second projection extending from the core; and
a second structural member configured to be attached to the second projection, the second structural member having a second longitudinal axis, wherein
the top cover has a second top recess configured to receive the second structural member, and
the bottom cover has a second bottom recess configured to receive the second structural member.

3. The node of claim 2 , wherein the first longitudinal axis is inclined relative to the second longitudinal axis.

4. The node of claim 1 , wherein the projection includes:
a body portion extending from the cover edge to a body portion end, the body portion including an outer surface; and
a lead-in portion attached to the body portion and extending from the body portion end to an outer end, the lead-in portion having a first cross-section at the outer end and a second cross-section at the body portion end, wherein the first cross-section is smaller than the second cross-section.

5. The node of claim 4 , wherein the lead-in portion includes:
a curvilinear surface extending from the outer end to the body portion end; and
a transition edge at the body portion end, the transition edge being attached to an edge of the outer surface of the body portion.

6. The node of claim 1 , wherein the top cover includes:
a top cover plate having a top cover edge; and
a side section attached to the top cover plate at the top cover edge.

7. The node of claim 6 , wherein the side section includes:
a recess portion including the top recess extending from a recess leading edge to a recess trailing edge; and
a transition portion extending from the recess portion to the top cover edge.

8. The node of claim 7 , wherein the transition portion includes a transition edge disposed adjacent the top cover edge and the transition edge is welded to the top cover edge.

Assignees

• Caterpillar Inc

Inventors

• Gami Rahul N
• Yadav Ajay Dnyandeo
• Huff Richard K
• NEAL Jarrod Delane
• Robinson Matthew M
• Miller Tad W
• Brenner Brandon C
• Holthaus David William
• Bell Jacob Warner
• Noble Michael H
• Ormiston Edward Patrick
• Mallampalli Hemant Prasad
• Marchione Thierry A
• Spengler Michael R

Classifications

• B62D25/00

  Superstructure {or monocoque structure} sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for {(having impact absorbing means B62D21/15; running-boards, steps, or the like as superstructure sub-unit B60R3/00)} · CPC title

• E04B1/1903

  Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor · CPC title

• B62D27/02 Primary

  rigid · CPC title

• B62D65/02

  Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components · CPC title