Multiple node junction structure

Abstract

Multiple node junctions have at least two nodes sharing an axis. Each node includes a node adaptor-mounting-surface at an angle Θ relative to the axis. An adaptor mounted to each node at the angle Θ relative to the axis uses an adaptor node-mounting-surface and at least one adaptor beam-mounting-surface. A beam having one or more adaptor-mounting-surfaces is mounted to the adaptors using beam adaptor-mounting-surfaces so that the beam is mounted at the angle Θ relative to the axis. The length of each adaptor corresponds to the spacing between each adaptor node-mounting-surface and its matching adaptor beam-mounting-surface. The lengths of the first and second adaptors are selected to accommodate the angle Θ. A framework, for example a free form glass wall or the like, can be created using a plurality of multiple node junctions according to embodiments of the present invention.

1 . A multiple node junction comprising: 
 a first node and a second node, wherein the first and second nodes share an axis;    the first node comprising a first node adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the first node adaptor-mounting-surface is at an angle Θ relative to the axis;    a first adaptor mounted to the first node, the first adaptor comprising: 
 a first adaptor node-mounting-surface; and  
 a first adaptor beam-mounting-surface;  
 wherein the first adaptor node-mounting-surface engages the first node adaptor-mounting-surface to mount the first adaptor at the angle Θ relative to the axis;  
   the second node comprising a second node adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the second node adaptor-mounting-surface is at the angle Θ relative to the axis;    a second adaptor mounted to the second node, the second adaptor comprising: 
 a second adaptor node-mounting-surface; and  
 a second adaptor beam-mounting-surface;  
 wherein the second adaptor node-mounting-surface engages the second node adaptor-mounting-surface to mount the second adaptor at the angle Θ relative to the axis;  
   a beam having a generally planar adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the first adaptor and the second adaptor are mounted to the beam adaptor-mounting-surface so that the beam is mounted at the angle Θ relative to the axis;    further wherein the length of the first adaptor corresponds to the spacing between the first adaptor node-mounting-surface and the first adaptor beam-mounting-surface; and    further wherein the length of the second adaptor corresponds to the spacing-between the second adaptor node-mounting-surface and the second adaptor beam-mounting-surface;    further wherein the first adaptor length and the second adaptor length are selected to accommodate the angle Θ.    
   
   
       2 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein the beam further comprises a beam extension mounted to the beam adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the beam extension comprises a first beam extension adaptor-mounting-surface and a second beam extension adaptor-mounting-surface; 
 further wherein the first adaptor further comprises a first adaptor extension mounting surface mounted to the first beam extension adaptor-mounting-surface; and    further wherein the second adaptor further comprises a second adaptor extension mounting surface mounted to the second beam extension adaptor-mounting-surface.    
   
   
       3 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein the first and second adaptors are welded to the beam.  
   
   
       4 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein the first node comprises a plurality of adaptor-mounting-surfaces and further wherein the second node comprises a plurality of adaptor-mounting-surfaces corresponding to the first node plurality of mounting surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein the first adaptor is mounted to the first node adaptor-mounting-surface using a bolt; and 
 further wherein the second adaptor is mounted to the second node adaptor-mounting-surface using a bolt.    
   
   
       6 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein each adaptor comprises a cavity for accessing means for mounting the adaptor to one of the nodes.  
   
   
       7 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein Θ is from about 60° to about 120°.  
   
   
       8 . The multiple node junction of  claim 1  wherein each node is generally toroidal in shape and has a tapped hole for each adaptor mounted to the node.  
   
   
       9 . A framework comprising a plurality of multiple node junctions, wherein each multiple node junction comprises: 
 a first node and a second node, wherein the first and second nodes share an axis;    the first node comprising a first node adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the first node adaptor-mounting-surface is at an angle Θ relative to the axis;    a first adaptor mounted to the first node, the first adaptor comprising: 
 a first adaptor node-mounting-surface; and  
 a first adaptor beam-mounting-surface;  
 wherein the first adaptor node-mounting-surface engages the first node adaptor-mounting-surface to mount the first adaptor at the angle Θ relative to the axis;  
   the second node comprising a second node adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the second node adaptor-mounting-surface is at the angle Θ relative to the axis;    a second adaptor mounted to the second node, the second adaptor comprising: 
 a second adaptor node-mounting-surface; and  
 a second adaptor beam-mounting-surface;  
 wherein the second adaptor node-mounting-surface engages the second node adaptor-mounting-surface to mount the second adaptor at the angle Θ relative to the axis;  
   a beam having a generally planar adaptor-mounting-surface, wherein the first adaptor and the second adaptor are mounted to the beam adaptor-mounting-surface so that the beam is mounted at the angle Θ relative to the axis;    further wherein the length of the first adaptor corresponds to the spacing between the first adaptor node-mounting-surface and the first adaptor beam-mounting-surface; and    further wherein the length of the second adaptor corresponds to the spacing between the second adaptor node-mounting-surface and the second adaptor beam-mounting-surface;    further wherein the first adaptor length and the second adaptor length are selected to accommodate the angle Θ.