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A construction technique is disclosed for facilitating the rapid assembly of large structures at remote sites, both terrestrial and extra terrestrial, comprising joining modular sub-assemblies embodied as triangular trusses in a limited number of standardized interconnecting modes to form final stru

A construction technique is disclosed for facilitating the rapid assembly of large structures at remote sites, both terrestrial and extra terrestrial, comprising joining modular sub-assemblies embodied as triangular trusses in a limited number of standardized interconnecting modes to form final structures, the construction technique utilizing modular interconnecting members for facilitating the rapid joinder of the sub-assemblies in one or more of these modes.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A truss assembly for facilitating the construction of large space structures comprising: (a) at least two modular sub-assemblies assembled in at least one of a limited plurality of standardized cross and platform interconnecting arrangements, each of said modular sub-assemblies being comprised

1. A truss assembly for facilitating the construction of large space structures comprising: (a) at least two modular sub-assemblies assembled in at least one of a limited plurality of standardized cross and platform interconnecting arrangements, each of said modular sub-assemblies being comprised of at least one triangular truss comprised of a plurality of longerons and a plurality of battens interconnecting said longerons, and (b) at least one modular interconnecting member interconnecting said triangular trusses in said standardized interconnecting arrangements, said at least one modular interconnecting member being disposed between said triangular trusses and being comprised of at least one connecting joint comprised of a plurality of separate, but readily mated fittings, at least one of said fittings further comprising a plurality of tabs straddling at least one of said longerons and a plurality of said battens of at least one of said triangular trusses for attachment to said at least one triangular truss. 2. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said triangular trusses is a pentahedral truss structure comprising: (a) three of said longerons, said longerons being parallel and arranged in the form of a continuous longitudinal structure with a triangular cross section; (b) a plurality of said battens interconnecting said longerons, said battens lying in a series of planes normal to the longitudinal axis of said triangular truss, each of said battens being connected at one end to a first of said longerons and at the other end to a second of said longerons; and (c) a plurality of diagonal bracing structural members lying diagonally between adjacent ones of said battens, each of said diagonal bracing structural members being connected at one end to a first of said longerons and at the other end to a second of said longerons. 3. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one standardized interconnecting arrangement is a cross arrangement comprising: (a) a first modular sub-assembly, and (b) a second modular sub-assembly orthogonally overlapping and interconnected to said first modular sub-assembly, each of said first and second modular sub-assemblies being either a triangular truss or a Tribeam. 4. A truss assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said cross arrangement comprises a first apex of said first modular sub-assembly interconnected to a second apex of said second modular sub-assembly and wherein said at least one modular interconnecting member is comprised of a single connecting joint comprising a first fitting attached to said first apex, and a second fitting attached to said second apex, said first and second fittings being mated together to form said single connecting joint. 5. A truss assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said cross arrangement comprises a first base of said first modular subassembly interconnected to a second base of said second modular sub-assembly and wherein said first and second sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising four connecting joints, each connecting joint having a first fitting attached to said first base of said first modular sub-assembly and a second fitting attached to said second base of said second modular sub-assembly, said first and second fittings being mated together so as to form said connecting joints. 6. A truss assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said cross arrangement comprises a first base of said first modular sub-assembly interconnected to a second base of said second modular sub-assembly and wherein said first and second modular sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (a) a first quadrapod structure comprised of four first legs joined together at one end to form a first juncture, and extending outwardly from said first juncture so as to form a first pyramid type structure, (b) a second quadrapod structure comprised of four second legs joined together at one end to form a second juncture, and extending outwardly from said second juncture so as to form a second pyramid type structure, (c) a first connecting joint comprised of a first fitting attached to said first juncture, and of a second fitting attached to said second juncture, said first and second fittings being mated together to form said first connecting joint, thereby causing said first quadrapod structure and said second quadrapod structure to be in opposed relation to each other, and (d) eight second connecting joints, each of said second connecting joints being comprised of a mated pair of fittings comprised of a third fitting attached to either of said first or second bases of said structural members, and a fourth fitting attached to one of said first or second legs comprising said first and second quadrapod structures. 7. A truss assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said cross arrangement comprises a base of said first modular sub-assembly interconnected to an apex of said second modular sub-assembly, and wherein said first and second modular sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (a) a quadrapod structure comprised of four legs joined together at one end and extending outwardly from said juncture so as to form a pyramid type structure, (b) four first connecting joints, each comprised of a first pair of mated fittings having a first fitting attached to the base of said first truss beam, and a second fitting attached to one of said four legs of said quadrapod structure, and (c) a second connecting joint comprised of a second pair of mated fittings having a third fitting attached to the apex of said second truss beam, and a fourth fitting attached to the juncture of said four legs of said quadrapod structure. 8. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a mounting adaptor for mounting equipment, sensors or other structures comprising a fitting attached at one end to an apex of one of said triangular trusses and having a means for attaching said equipment, sensors or other structures at the other end. 9. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 further comprising a mounting adaptor for mounting equipment, sensors or other structures comprising: (a) a quadrapod structure comprised of four legs joined together at one end to form a juncture, and extending from said juncture so as to form a pyramid type structure, (b) a first fitting attached at one end to said juncture, and having a means for attaching said equipment, sensors or other structures at the other end, and (c) four connecting joints, each comprised of a second fitting attached to a base of one of said triangular trusses and a third fitting attached to one of said four legs of said quadrapod structure, said second and third fittings being mated together to form said connecting joint. 10. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said standardized interconnecting arrangements further comprise an Inverted-Apex Tribeam arrangement comprising three longitudinal and parallel triangular trusses disposed about a central axis so as to form a continuous structure having a generally triangular cross section, a single apex of each of said triangular trusses being interconnected to a single apex of each of said other two triangular trusses, and wherein said three triangular trusses are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members interconnecting, and being positioned between, said apices and lying in planes defining a pentahedron, said plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (a) a plurality of vertical structural members lying in a plurality of planes normal to said central axis; (b) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members; and (c) a plurality of connecting joints joining said vertical and diagonal structural members to said apices of said triangular trusses, said connecting joints being disposed between said structural members and said apices, each of said connecting joints being comprised of a multi-fitting piece attached to one of said apices of one of said triangular trusses, and a plurality of individual fittings, each of said individual fittings being attached to an end of one of said vertical or diagonal structural members, said multi-fitting piece and said individual fittings being mated together to form said connecting joints, each of said individual fittings having handles for aiding in the assembly of said connecting joints. 11. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said standardized interconnecting arrangements further comprise an Upright-Apex Tribeam arrangement comprising three longitudinal and parallel triangular trusses disposed about a central axis so as to form a continuous structure having a substantially triangular cross section, a single base of each of said triangular trusses being interconnected to a single base of each of said other two triangular trusses, and wherein said three triangular trusses are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members interconnecting, and being positioned between, said bases and lying in planes defining an octahedron, said plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (a) a plurality of vertical structural members lying in a plurality of planes normal to the central axis; (b) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members; and (c) a plurality of connecting joints joining said vertical and diagonal structural members to said bases of said triangular trusses, said connecting joints being disposed between said structural members and said bases, each of said connecting joints being comprised of a multi-fitting piece attached to one of said bases of one of said triangular trusses, and a plurality of individual fittings, each of said individual fittings being attached to an end of one of said vertical or diagonal structural members, said multi-fitting piece and said individual fittings being mated together to form said connecting joints, each of said individual fittings having handles for aiding in the assembly of said connecting joints. 12. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one standardized interconnecting arrangement is a platform with an inverted-apex design comprising: a plurality of longitudinal and parallel modular sub-assemblies positioned alternately between an upper plane and a lower plane so as to extend laterally in alternating series, said upper and lower planes being parallel, and, wherein at least said modular sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members disposed between said modular sub-assemblies and interconnecting a single apex of each of the modular sub-assemblies positioned in the upper plane with a single base of one or more of the modular sub-assemblies positioned in the lower plane so as to form a plurality of parallel but overlapping inverted-apex tribeam arrangements extending laterally in series, said modular interconnecting members lying in planes defining a series of collateral alternating polyhedrons comprising pentahedrons and hexahedrons. 13. A truss assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one standardized interconnecting arrangement is a platform with an upright-apex design comprising a plurality of longitudinal and parallel modular sub-assemblies positioned alternately between an upper plane and a lower plane so as to extend laterally in alternating series, said upper and lower planes being parallel, and wherein at least said modular sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members disposed between said modular sub-assemblies and interconnecting a single base of each of the modular sub-assemblies positioned in the upper plane with one or more bases of one or more of the modular sub-assemblies positioned in the lower plane so as to form a plurality of parallel but overlapping upright-apex tribeam arrangements extending laterally in series, said modular interconnecting members lying in planes defining a series of collateral alternating polyhedrons comprising octahedrons and pentahedrons. 14. A truss assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said at least one modular interconnecting member is comprised of at least one connecting joint comprising a male fitting mated with a female fitting. 15. A truss assembly as recited in claim 14 wherein said modular sub-assemblies are further interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising at least one quadrapod structure comprised of four legs joined together at one end to form a juncture, and extending outwardly from said juncture so as to form a pyramid type pentahedral structure, and a plurality of said connecting joints, said at least one quadrapod structure being joined to said modular sub-assemblies by a plurality of said connecting joints. 16. A truss assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said modular sub-assemblies are interconnected by a plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (a) a plurality of connecting joints, each comprised of a multi-fitting female fitting attached to said triangular trusses and mated with a plurality of individual male fittings, said female fitting having said plurality of tabs, each tab straddling one of said longerons and one of said battens; (b) a plurality of vertical structural members attached on each end to one of said individual male fittings; and (c) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members and attached on each end to one of said individual male fittings. 17. A truss assembly according to claims 14 or 16 wherein said male fittings comprise a shaft having a ball tip, and said female fittings comprise a partial ball socket having a catch for locking said ball tip in said ball socket. 18. A truss assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein said plurality of modular interconnecting members comprises: (a) a plurality of vertical structural members lying in a plurality of planes normal to said central axis; (b) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members; and (c) a plurality of connecting joints joining said vertical and diagonal structural members to said apices of said triangular trusses, said connecting joints being disposed between said structural members and said apices. 19. A truss assembly as recited in claim 18 wherein each of said connecting joints is comprised of a multi-fitting piece attached to one of said apices of one of said triangular trusses, and a plurality of individual fittings, each of said individual fittings being attached to an end of one of said vertical or diagonal structural members, said multi-fitting piece and said individual fittings being mated together to form said connecting joints. 20. A truss assembly as recited in claim 13 wherein said plurality of modular interconnecting members comprises: (a) a plurality of vertical structural members lying in a plurality of planes normal to the central axis; (b) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members; and (c) a plurality of connecting joints joining said vertical and diagonal structural members to said bases of said triangular trusses, said connecting joints between disposed between said structural members and said bases. 21. A truss assembly as recited in claim 20 wherein each of said connecting joints is comprised of a multi-fitting piece attached to one of said bases of one of said triangular trusses, and a plurality of individual fittings, each of said individual fittings being attached to an end of one of said vertical or diagonal structural members, said multi-fitting piece and said individual fittings being mated together to form said connecting joints. 22. A base-to-base cross arrangement truss structure comprising: (a) a first triangular truss, (b) a second triangular truss orthogonally overlapping said first triangular truss, and (c) a plurality of modular interconnecting members interconnecting a first base of said first triangular truss to a second base of said second triangular truss, the plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (1) a first quadrapod structure comprising four first legs joined together at one end to form a first juncture, and extending outwardly from said first juncture so as to form a first pyramid type structure, (2) a second quadrapod structure comprising four second legs joined together at one end to form a second juncture, and extending outwardly from said second juncture so as to form a second pyramid type structure, (3) a first connecting joint comprising a first fitting attached to said first juncture, and of a second fitting attached to said second juncture, said first and second fittings being mated together to form said first joint thereby causing said first quadrapod structure and said second quadrapod structure to be in opposed relation to each other, and (4) eight second connecting joints, each connecting joint comprising a mated pair of fittings comprising a third fitting attached to either of said first or second bases of said structural members, and a second fitting attached to one of said first or second legs comprising said first and second quadrapod structures. 23. A base-to-apex cross arrangement truss structure comprising: (a) a first triangular truss, (b) a second triangular truss, and (c) a plurality of modular interconnecting members interconnecting a base of said first triangular truss to an apex of said second triangular truss, the plurality of modular interconnecting members comprising: (1) a quadrapod structure comprising four legs joined together at one end to form a juncture and extending outwardly from said juncture so as to form a pyramid type structure, (2) four first connecting joints, each comprising a first pair of mated fittings having a first fitting attached to the base of said first triangular truss, and a second fitting attached to one of said four legs of said quadrapod structure, and (3) a second connecting joint comprising a second pair of mated fittings having a third fitting attached to the apex of said second triangular truss, and a fourth fitting attached to the juncture of said four legs of said quadrapod structure. 24. Modular interconnecting members for interconnecting at least two triangular trusses in cross arrangements comprising one or more connecting joints comprising a male fitting mated with a female fitting, each of said fittings having a plurality of tabs, each tab straddling a longeron and a batten of said triangular trusses and conforming in shape to the shape of said batten. 25. Modular interconnecting members according to claim 24 further comprising one or more quadrapod structures comprising four legs joined together at one end to form a juncture, and extending outwardly from said juncture so as to form a pyramid type pentahedral structure, said quadrapod structures being joined to said triangular trusses by a plurality of said connecting joints. 26. Modular interconnecting members for interconnecting at least two triangular trusses in tribeam or platform arrangements comprising: (a) a plurality of connecting joints each comprising a multi-fitting female fitting mated with a plurality of individual male fittings, said female fitting having a plurality of tabs, each tab straddling a longeron and a batten of said triangular trusses and conforming in shape to the shape of said batten; (b) a plurality of vertical structural members attached on each end to one of said individual male fittings; and (c) a plurality of diagonal structural members lying diagonally between adjacent vertical structural members and attached on each end to one of said individual male fittings. 27. Modular interconnecting members according to claims 24 or 26 wherein said male fittings comprise a shaft having a ball tip, and said female fittings comprise a partial ball socket having a catch for locking said ball tip in said ball socket. 28. A truss assembly as recited in claims 10 or 11 wherein said Tribeam is comprised from three longitudinal and parallel tribeams. 29. A truss structure as recited in claims 4, 5, 6, 22, 7, 23, 8, 9, 14, 16, 24, 26, 18, 19, 20 or 21 wherein the connecting joints and fittings are constructed from moulded plastic. 30. A truss structure as recited in claims 6, 22, 7, 23, 9, 15 or 25 wherein the quadrapod structure is constructed from moulded plastic. 31. A truss structure as recited in claims 16, 26, 19 or 21 wherein the individual fittings have handles for aiding the assembly of said connecting joints. 32. A truss structure as recited in claim 17 wherein the connecting joints and fittings are constructed from moulded plastic. 33. A truss structure as recited in claim 27 wherein the connecting joints and fittings are constructed from moulded plastic.