Modular space frame support system, work platform system and methods of erecting the same

Abstract

A method of assembling a modular space frame support system includes providing a first frame including at least four interconnection structures, at least four joists, and a plurality of interconnection structure brackets. The method further includes providing a second frame including at least four interconnection structures, a plurality of interconnection structure brackets, and at least one of four chords or four joists, each of the interconnection structure brackets coupled between a first end and a second end of a respective one of the interconnection structures. The method further includes providing at least one of a diagonal chord and a vertical support and coupling the at least one of the diagonal chord and the vertical support to at least one of the interconnection structure brackets of the first frame and at least one of the interconnection structure brackets of the second frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling a modular space frame support system, the method comprising:
 providing a first frame comprising at least four interconnection structures, at least four joists, and a plurality of interconnection structure brackets;   providing a second frame comprising at least four interconnection structures, a plurality of interconnection structure brackets, and at least one of four chords or four joists, each of the interconnection structure brackets coupled between a first end and a second end of a respective one of the interconnection structures;   providing at least one of a diagonal chord and a vertical support; and   coupling the at least one of the diagonal chord and the vertical support to at least one of the interconnection structure brackets of the first frame and at least one of the interconnection structure brackets of the second frame.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the second frame comprises:
 providing a first interconnection structure, second interconnection structure, and a first joist, wherein the first joist is connected to and in operable association with the first interconnection structure and the second interconnection structure;   providing a second joist, a third joist, a third interconnection structure, and a fourth interconnection structure;   coupling the second joist to the first interconnection structure and the third interconnection structure;   coupling the third joist to the second interconnection structure and the fourth interconnection structure;   providing a fourth joist;   coupling the fourth joist to the third interconnection structure and the fourth interconnection structure;   articulating each of the second joist, the third joist, the fourth joist, the third interconnection structure, and the fourth interconnection structure with respect to the first joist; and   coupling the interconnection structure brackets between a first end and second end of a respective one of the interconnection structures.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the diagonal chord and connecting the diagonal chord to at least one interconnection structure of the first frame and at least one interconnection structure of the second frame. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein coupling the diagonal chord to at least one interconnection structure of the first frame and at least one interconnection structure of the second frame comprises:
 providing a chord subassembly comprising a first chord section and a connecting section;   securing the chord subassembly to one of the at least one interconnection structure of the first frame and the at least one interconnection structure of the second frame;   providing a second chord section;   securing the second chord section to the other of the at least one interconnection structure of the first frame and the at least one interconnection structure of the second frame; and   coupling the chord subassembly to the second chord section by extending a length of the chord subassembly.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein coupling the chord subassembly to the second chord section by extending the length of the chord subassembly comprises actuating a linear force-applying device to extend the length of the chord subassembly. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the linear force-applying device is a ratcheting turnbuckle. 
     
     
         7 . A modular space frame support system comprising:
 an upper frame comprising a plurality of joists coupled with a plurality of interconnection structures;   a lower frame comprising a plurality of joists or chords coupled with a plurality of interconnection structures;   a first interconnection structure bracket coupled to one of the plurality of interconnection structures of the upper frame and a second interconnection structure bracket coupled to one of the plurality of interconnection structures of the lower frame, each interconnection structure bracket coupled between a first end and second end of the corresponding interconnection structure; and   at least one chord extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the chord coupled to the first interconnection structure bracket and the second end of the chord coupled to the second interconnection structure bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 7 , wherein the interconnection structures comprise at least one chord-engaging structure, the at least one chord-engaging structure comprising two plates, wherein each plate contains an opening therethrough. 
     
     
         9 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 8 , wherein each of the two plates are triangular or each of the two plates are non-symmetrical. 
     
     
         10 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 8 , wherein the first end of the chord and the second end of the chord each include two plates, each of the two plates containing an opening therethrough, wherein a first distance between the two plates on the first and second ends of the chord is greater than a second distance between the two plates of the interconnection structure bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 7 , wherein at the least one chord comprises two chord sections slidingly engaged in a connecting section. 
     
     
         12 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one chord further comprises a linear force-applying device operably connected to both of the two chord sections. 
     
     
         13 . A modular space frame support system comprising:
 an interconnection structure;   an interconnection structure bracket coupled between a first end and a second end of the interconnection structure, the interconnection structure bracket comprising:
 a tubular section; and 
 at least one chord engaging structure; and 
   a chord coupled to the chord engaging structure.   
     
     
         14 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 13 , where the tubular section is hollow and the tubular section forms a cylinder or a prism. 
     
     
         15 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one chord engaging structure includes a first plate and a second plate extending from the tubular section, the first plate spaced from the second plate. 
     
     
         16 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 15 , wherein the first plate is symmetrical with the second plate. 
     
     
         17 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a third plate extending from an end of the chord; and   a fourth plate extending from the end of the chord;   wherein a first distance between the first plate and the second plate is less than a second distance between the third plate and the fourth plate.   
     
     
         18 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one chord engaging structure defines a first edge extending along the tubular section, a second edge extending from a first end of the first edge, and a third edge extending between a second end of the first edge and the second edge. 
     
     
         19 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a first plate extending from an end of the chord; and   a second plate extending from the end of the chord, the second plate spaced from the first plate to define an opening;   wherein the at least one chord engaging structure defines a channel, and the channel is configured to align with the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The modular space frame support system of  claim 13 , wherein the interconnection structure bracket comprises:
 an upper plate; and   a lower plate spaced from the upper plate, the tubular section extending between the upper plate and the lower plate, the at least one chord engaging structure extending from the tubular section away from the upper plate and the lower plate.