Structures and components thereof

Abstract

A load-bearing structure, said structure comprising a plurality of single elongated chords, the exterior surface of each said chord defining a cross-section, said cross-section having an interior volume, each said chord having an elongated centerline, said structure further including a plurality of elongated cross-members, each of said cross-members having at least a first and a second end, said elongated cross-members cooperating in maintaining said single elongated chords spaced apart by a dimension substantially greater than said cross-section, at least one of said chords having at least one elongated opening in said exterior surface, through which one of said ends enters said volume interior.

1 . In a load-bearing structure, 
 said structure comprising a plurality of single elongated chords, the exterior surface of each said chord defining a cross-section, said cross-section having an interior volume, each said chord having an elongated centerline,    said structure further including a plurality of elongated cross-members, each of said cross-members having at least a first and a second end,    said elongated cross-members cooperating in maintaining said single elongated chords spaced apart by a dimension substantially greater than said cross-section,    at least one of said chords having at least one elongated opening in said exterior surface, through which one of said ends enters said volume interior.    
   
   
       2 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said opening is substantially continuous.  
   
   
       3 . The structure according to  claim 1 , and further including a cover over a portion of said opening.  
   
   
       4 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one chord comprises at least one extrusion.  
   
   
       5 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener is employed in fixing said cross-member with said chord.  
   
   
       6 . The structure according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener is employed in fixing said cross-member and said chord.  
   
   
       7 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said cross-section has a generally circular cross-section with a diameter not exceeding 2.0 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface is substantially without projections.  
   
   
       9 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface has at least two opposed flatted surfaces.  
   
   
       10 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said exterior surface defines a generally octagonal cross-section.  
   
   
       11 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said chord further includes at least one internal feature that stiffens said chord.  
   
   
       12 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said chord further includes at least one internal feature cooperating in receiving said end.  
   
   
       13 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said chord accepts internal to said volume at least one local reinforcing element.  
   
   
       14 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said structure further provides for load-bearing end-wise connection of a plurality of said structures to form a load-bearing structure of greater length than that of one of said structures.  
   
   
       15 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said chords of said structure include at least one internal feature cooperating in receiving additional elements used for load-bearing end-wise connection of a plurality of said structures, to form a load-bearing structure of greater length than that of one of said structures.  
   
   
       16 . In a load-bearing structure, 
 said structure comprising a plurality of substantially spaced-apart single chords, each of said chords comprising at least one extrusion and having a cross-section, said cross-section defining a volume interior, said chord further having an elongated centerline,    said structure further including a plurality of elongated cross-members, each of said cross-members having at least a first and a second end,    said elongated cross-members cooperating in maintaining said chords spaced apart by a dimension greater than said cross-section,    said chords further having at least one elongated opening, said opening extending parallel to said elongated centerline, and via which one of said ends enters said volume interior.    
   
   
       17 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein a mechanical fastener is employed in fixing said cross-member with said chord.  
   
   
       18 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said chord is substantially circular in cross-section and not more than 2.0 inches in diameter.  
   
   
       19 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said extrusion further includes at least one internal feature that stiffens said chord.  
   
   
       20 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said extrusion further includes at least one internal feature cooperating in receiving said end.  
   
   
       21 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said chord accepts internal to said volume at least one local reinforcing element.  
   
   
       22 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said structure further provides for load-bearing end-wise connection of a plurality of said structures to form a load-bearing structure of greater length than that of one of said structures.  
   
   
       23 . The structure according to  claim 16 , wherein said single structural shape of said structure includes at least one internal feature cooperating in load-bearing end-wise connection of a plurality of said structures.  
   
   
       24 . In a truss structure, 
 said truss structure including at least three, generally parallel, elongated chords, each of said chords having a cross-section and an elongated centerline and each of said chords being spaced apart one from the others by a dimension substantially greater than said cross-section,    said truss structure further including a plurality of elongated cross-members, each of said cross-members having at least a first and a second end,    said elongated cross-members cooperating in maintaining said chords in said spaced apart relationship, each from the other,    said chords each having at least one elongated opening, said opening extending parallel with said elongated centerline, and via which one of said ends enters said volume interior.    
   
   
       25 . The structure according to  claim 24 , wherein said chords each comprise at least one extrusion.  
   
   
       26 . The structure according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener is employed in fixing said cross-member and said chord.  
   
   
       27 . The structure according to  claim 24 , wherein at least one mechanical fastener is employed in fixing said cross-member and said chord.  
   
   
       28 . The structure according to  claim 24 , wherein said structure further provides for load-bearing end-wise connection of a plurality of said structures to form a load-bearing structure of greater length than one of said structures.