Reinforcement plate for roof frame

Abstract

A frame for a roof of a structure includes a node, a strut having a flange connecting the strut to the node, and a reinforcement plate for reinforcement that is secured to the flange and connected to the node with the strut.

Description

REINFORCEMENT PLATE FOR ROOF FRAMECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 618,545, filed January 8, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND

[0002] The present invention relates to roofs, and more particularly, frames configured to reinforce the roof.

[0003] Roofs are used to cover structures. The structures may include tanks, containers, or buildings. Typically, roofs are reinforced to endure various weather conditions over many years with minimal maintenance. However, some roof designs may not consider all conditions to prevent failure of the roof.SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides, in one aspect, a frame for a roof of a structure including a node, a strut having a flange connecting the strut to the node, and a reinforcement bracket secured to the flange and connected to the node with the strut.

[0005] In one aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, a frame for a roof of a structure includes a node, a strut and a reinforcement plate. The node includes a plate. The strut is connected to the node. The flange is connected to the plate, and a web is connected to and extends orthogonally from the flange. The reinforcement plate is coupled to the flange and is configured to reinforce the connection between the plate and the flange. The flange is sandwiched between the plate and the reinforcement plate.

[0006] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the flange, the plate, and the reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp together the flange, the plate, and the reinforcement plate.

[0007] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the reinforcement plate includes a portion that extends from an outermost diameter of the plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the plate, the portion is connected to the flange, and the portion includes additional apertures therethrough, the additional apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp the reinforcement plate to the flange.

[0008] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, a length of the portion of the reinforcement plate that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the plate is substantially equal to or less than a length of a portion of the reinforcement plate that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate to radially inside of the outermost diameter of the plate.

[0009] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the reinforcement plate is seated on the flange and abuts the web.

[0010] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the flange extends further away from the web than the reinforcement plate.

[0011] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the reinforcement plate is a first reinforcement plate, the frame includes a second reinforcement plate, where the second reinforcement plate is positioned on an opposite side of the web from the first reinforcement plate, and the flange is also sandwiched between the plate and the second reinforcement plate.

[0012] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the first reinforcement plate is seated on the flange and abuts a first side of the web, and the second reinforcement plate is also seated on the flange and abuts the opposite side of the web.

[0013] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, a thickness of the flange is equal to or greater than a thickness of the reinforcement plate.

[0014] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the thickness of the reinforcement plate is greater than 50% of the thickness of the flange.

[0015] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the node is one of a plurality of nodes, the strut is one of a plurality of struts, and the plate of each of the plurality ofnodes includes offset portions. The offset portions attach to respective struts of at least two struts of the plurality of struts, and the offset portions are configured such that the frame forms a geodesic dome formed from the plurality of nodes and the plurality of struts.

[0016] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the node is one of a plurality of nodes, the strut has a length extending from a first end to a second end, where the first end is configured to connect to the node and the second end configured to connect to another node of the plurality of nodes, and the length is at least ten times a length of the reinforcement plate along a largest dimension of the reinforcement plate.

[0017] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the flange is an upper flange, the strut includes a lower flange, the upper flange and the lower flange are connected to opposite sides of the web, and the reinforcement plate is located between the upper flange and the lower flange.

[0018] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the plate is an upper plate and the node further includes a lower plate, the reinforcement plate is an upper reinforcement plate and the frame further includes a lower reinforcement plate, the lower flange, the lower plate, and the lower reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp together the lower flange, the lower plate, and the lower reinforcement plate.

[0019] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, a structure includes a cylindrical base configured for holding material; and a roof coupled to and covering the cylindrical base. The roof includes a plurality of panels and a frame comprising: a plurality of reinforcement plates, a plurality of nodes, each node including a plate, and a plurality of struts connected to the plurality of nodes, each strut including: a flange connected to the plate of a corresponding node of the plurality of nodes, and a web connected to and extending orthogonally from the flange. Each reinforcement plate of the plurality of reinforcement plates is coupled to the flange of a corresponding strut of the plurality of struts and is configured to reinforce the connection between the plate and the flange. The flange of each strut of the plurality of struts is sandwiched between the plate and the reinforcement plate. The plurality of panels is supported by the frame.

[0020] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the frame forms a geodesic dome formed from the plurality of nodes and the plurality of struts.

[0021] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, each panel of the plurality of panels is polygonal in shape and includes a plurality of corners, and each node of the plurality of nodes is positioned adjacent a corner of the plurality of corners of at least one panel of the plurality of panels.

[0022] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, each panel of the plurality of panels is triangular, and wherein each node of the plurality of nodes is positioned adjacent a respective comer of the plurality of corners of at least three panels of the plurality of panels.

[0023] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, a frame for a roof of a structure comprises a node, a strut, an upper reinforcement plate, and a lower reinforcement plate. The node includes an upper plate and a lower plate. The strut is connected to the node, and the strut, in cross section, being shaped as an I-beam and includes: an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web connecting the upper flange to the lower flange. The upper reinforcement plate is coupled to the upper flange such that the upper flange is retained between the upper reinforcement plate and the upper plate, the upper reinforcement plate being configured to reinforce a connection between the upper plate and the upper flange. The lower reinforcement plate is coupled to the lower flange such that the lower flange is retained between the lower reinforcement plate and the lower plate, the lower reinforcement plate being configured to reinforce a connection between the lower plate and the lower flange.

[0024] In another aspect, which is combinable with any other aspect, the upper flange, the upper plate, and the upper reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures having therein respective fasteners configured to clamp together the upper flange, the upper plate, and the upper reinforcement plate. The upper reinforcement plate includes a portion that extends from an outermost diameter of the upper plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the upper plate, and the portion includes additional apertures therethrough, the additional apertures having therein respective fasteners configured to clamp the upper reinforcement plate to the upper flange.

[0025] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a structure including a roof according to some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a frame for the roof of FIG. 1.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of FIG. 2 through line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the frame of FIG. 2 with portions removed.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a reinforcement plate according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the reinforcement plate of FIG. 5 through line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a front view of an end of a strut according to some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of FIG. 1 at a node.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a structure 10 including a base 14 and a roof 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 is a tank. In other embodiments, the base 14 may be a tank, a container, or another type of building. The base is designed to hold material therein. The base 14 may be formed of brick, concrete, steel, and the like, or any combination of materials. In addition, the base 14 may be cylindrical, square, rectangular, hexagonal, oblong, irregular, andthe like. In some embodiments, the structure 10 includes a roof 18 connected to the base 14, but the base 14 is in the form of pilings or supports, etc., such that the base 14 is substantially open and without walls. In some embodiments, the structure 10 is configured to store bulk materials, liquid and dry materials such as water or petroleum-based fluids, mined materials, and / or other materials.

[0036] The roof 18 is connected to and configured to cover the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the roof 18 is a geodesic dome roof. In other embodiments, the roof 18 may be any suitable roof configured to cover the structure 10. The roof 18 includes a frame 22 and one or more panels 26 coupled to and supported by the frame 22. The panels 26 may be, for example, aluminum sheets or sheets of other materials. The panels 26 create a solid substrate, or skin, that covers the structure 10. The panels 26 are polygonal in shape. In some examples, the panels 26 are triangular.

[0037] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the frame 22 includes a plurality of nodes 30 interconnected with a plurality of struts 34. For ease of discussion, one node 30 and one strut 34 will be discussed below. The other nodes 30 and struts 34 may have similar configurations as the node 30 and the strut 34 described below. In the illustrated embodiment, the node 30 may include a pair of plates 38A, 38B (i.e., a first, upper plate 38A and a second, lower plate 38B). In some examples, the plates 38A, 38B are embodied as disks. The plates 38A, 38B are similarly shaped and sized in some embodiments. The illustrated plates 38 A, 38B are circular. In addition, the plates 38 A, 38B are relatively thin and planar. In other embodiments, the plates 38 A, 38B may have other shapes, such as square, hexagonal, and the like. The plates 38A, 38B are spaced apart from each other and not directly connected, except via the struts 34. In other embodiments, the node 30 may include a cylinder or a block connecting the plates 38A, 38B. The node 30 defines a plurality of node apertures 42. The node 30 may be formed from an aluminum material. Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the panels 26 includes a plurality of corners 27, and each of the comers 27 are positioned at a different node 30. As can be seen in FIG. 1, each node 30 is positioned a respective comer 27 of at least three panels 26, and in some cases, at least six panels 26.

[0038] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the strut 34 is attached to the node 30. The strut 34 may also be referred to as a beam or a link. The strut 34 extends between adjacent nodes 30 or, in some instances, between a node 30 and the base 14. For example, the strut 34 may include a first end 46 coupled to a first node 30 and a second end 50 coupled to a second node 30. The strut 34 includes a profile shape when viewed in cross section or from an end of the strut 34. In the illustrated embodiment, the strut 34 may include an I-shaped profile. As such, the strut 34 may be referred to as an I-beam. In other embodiments, the strut 34 may include an H-shaped profile, a T-shaped profile, C-shaped profile, an L-shaped profile, or the like. The strut 34 may be an extruded member. For example, the strut 34 may be an aluminum extrusion.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 3, the strut 34 includes a web 54 and a flange 58A, 58B. The flange 58A, 58B can be an upper flange 58A. The strut 34, as shown in FIG. 3, also includes a lower flange 58B. The flanges 58 A, 58B extend outwardly from the web 54 and are connected to opposites sides of the web 54. The web 54 is connected to and extends orthogonally away from both the upper flange 58A and the lower flange 58B. In the illustrated embodiment, the strut 34 includes two flanges 58A, 58B. In other embodiments, the strut 34 may include one or more flanges 58A, 58B (e.g., one, two, three, four). The flange 58A, 58B may define a plurality of flange apertures 62. The flange apertures 62 are configured to align with the node apertures 42, e g., the apertures in the upper plate 38A and the lower plate 38B. A plurality of fasteners 66 (e.g., bolts, rivets, pins, etc.) are used to secure the strut 34 to the node 30. More specifically, the fasteners 66 are used to secure the flanges 58 A, 58B of the strut 34 to one of the plates 38 A, 38B of the node 30.

[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 3, reinforcement plates VOA, 70B, i.e., reinforcement brackets 70A, 70B are attached to the flanges 58A, 58B of the strut 34. The reinforcement plates 70A, 70B are separate components from the strut 34 but are connected to the strut 34. In the illustrated embodiment, an upper reinforcement plate 70A is connected to the upper flange 58A of the upper plate 38A. In addition, a lower reinforcement plate 70B is connected to the lower flange 58B of the lower plate 38B. In various embodiments, one or more reinforcement plates 70A, 70B may be attached to the strut 34 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five). The number of reinforcement plates 70A, 70B may be equal to the number of flanges 58A, 58Bof the strut 34. In other embodiments, the number of reinforcement plates 70A, 70B may be greater than the number of flanges 58A, 58B of the strut 34. For ease of discussion, the lower reinforcement plate 70B will be discussed below. The other reinforcement plates 70A, 70B may have similar configurations as the lower reinforcement plate 70B described below.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes a first end 74 and a second end 78 opposite the first end 74. Note that the upper plate 38A and the lower plate 38B are cut away in FIG. 4 to allow for easier viewing of the other components shown in FIG. 4. The lower reinforcement plate 70B may include an outer profile that matches a profile of the lower flange 58B. In some examples, the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B also does not extend past the first end 46 of the strut 34 into the node 30 and terminates flush with the first end 46. In other words, the lower reinforcement plate 70B does not extend beyond the lower flange 58B. When viewed from a top view, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes a non-uniform profile (i.e., outer profile of the lower reinforcement plate 70B is not symmetric about a centerline extending through the lower reinforcement plate 70B from the first end 74 to the second end 78). In the illustrated embodiment, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may transition from a triangular shape to a rectangular shape. In other words, a width Wrb of the lower reinforcement plate 70B increases from the first end 74 to a predetermined location (FIG. 5). The width Wrb of the lower reinforcement plate 70B is constant from the predetermined location to the second end 78. The lower reinforcement plate 70B may be formed from an aluminum material. The lower reinforcement plate 70B and the strut 34 may be formed from the same material. In other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be formed from a different material than the strut 34.

[0042] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes a reinforcement plate length Lrb measured between the first end 74 and the second end 78. As noted above with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment of the lower backet 70B, the lower flange 58B, and the lower plate 38B. The upper reinforcement plate 70A, the upper flange 58 A, and the upper plate 38A include a similar construction, but are not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for ease of illustration. In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement plate length Lrb is less than a length of the strut 34. In other words, the lower reinforcement plate 70B extends only a portion of the length of the strut 34. For example, the strut 34 may extend severalfeet, while the lower reinforcement plate 70B only extends several inches. In one example, the strut 34 may extend 8 feet (or more), and the lower reinforcement plate 70B may extend 5 to 14 inches. As such, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may extend less than 20% of the length of the strut 34. In other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may extend less than 10% of the length of the strut 34. In other words, the length of the strut 34 can be ten times a length of the lower reinforcement plate 70B (e.g., the largest dimension of the reinforcement plate 70B). In such an example, the length of the strut 34 and the reinforcement plate 70B is the longest dimension of the strut 34 and the reinforcement plate 70B. In still other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may extend less than 5% of the length of the strut 34. The length of the strut 34 may also be referred to as a length Lf of the lower flange 58B, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes a reinforcement plate thickness Trb measured perpendicular to the reinforcement plate length Lrb. The lower flange 58B includes a flange thickness Tf measured perpendicular to the flange length Lf. In some embodiments, the reinforcement plate thickness Trb is the same as the flange thickness Tf. In other embodiments, the reinforcement plate thickness Trb may be different, greater, or less than the flange thickness Tf. In one more specific example, the flange thickness Tf is greater than the reinforcement plate thickness Trb, and the reinforcement plate thickness Trb is greater than 50% of the flange thickness Tf.

[0044] As best shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B, for example the lower reinforcement plate 70B shown in FIG. 7, is seated on the lower flange 58B and abuts the web 54. The upper reinforcement plate 70A could similarly abut the web 54 and be seated on the upper flange 58A. In other examples, a second lower reinforcement plate 70B can be included, where the second lower reinforcement plate 70B is positioned on an opposite side of the web 54 from the first lower reinforcement plate 70B. The second lower reinforcement plate 70B also abuts the web 54 and is seated on the lower flange 58B.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes a reinforcement plate width Wrb, and the web 54 includes a web width Ww. The reinforcement plate width Wrb may be measured as a transverse width (i.e., measured across the lower reinforcement plate 70B). The web width Ww may be measured as transverse width (i.e.,measured across the web 54). In some embodiments, the reinforcement plate width Wrb is the same as the web width Ww. In other embodiments, the reinforcement plate width Wrb may be different, greater, or less than the web width Ww. The lower flange 58B includes a flange width Wf (FIG. 7). The lower flange 58B may be measured as a transverse width (i.e., measured across the flange 58A, 58B). In some embodiments, the reinforcement plate width Wrb may be the same as the flange width Wf. In other embodiments, the reinforcement plate width Wrb may be different, greater, or less than the flange width Wf. In other embodiments, a portion of the lower reinforcement plate 70B may include the same width as the lower flange 58B, where other portions of the lower reinforcement plate 70B may include a different width than the lower flange 58B. Still, in other embodiments, a portion of the lower reinforcement plate 70B may include a reinforcement plate width Wrb less than the flange width Wf, where other portions of the lower reinforcement plate 70B include the same width as the flange 58A, 58B. In general, the flange 58A, 58B can extend equal to or beyond a distance that the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B extends laterally away from the web 54. FIG. 7 illustrates an example where the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B extends a same distance laterally away from the web 54 as the flange 58 A, 58B.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower reinforcement plate 70B is coupled to the strut 34 by rivets 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower reinforcement plate 70B is coupled to the strut 34 by four rivets 82. In other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be coupled to the strut 34 by one or more rivets 82 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, etc.), depending on the length of the lower reinforcement plate 70B. The rivets 82 are used to secure the lower reinforcement plate 70B to the strut 34, and in particular, to the lower flange 58B of the strut 34. The illustrated lower reinforcement plate 70B defines reinforcement plate apertures 86 (FIG. 4). In the illustrated embodiment, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes three reinforcement plate apertures 86. In other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B includes one or more reinforcement plate apertures 86 (e.g., one, two, three, four, five, etc.). The reinforcement plate apertures 86 are configured align with the flange apertures 62 of the lower flange 58B, which in turn align with apertures 42 of the lower plate 38B. The fasteners 66 are also used to secure the lower reinforcement plate 70B to the strut 34, and in particular, the lower flange 58B of the strut 34, as well as to secure the lower flange 58B to the lower plate 38B. In the embodiments shown herein, this construction results in the flange 58 A, 58B being sandwichedand retained between the plate 38A, 38B and the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B, thus providing a stronger connection between the flange 58 A, 58B and the plate 38 A, 38B than without the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B. The fasteners 66 thus clamp together the flange 58A, 58B, the plate 38A, 38B, and the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B. Any connection disclosed herein between the flange 58 A, 58B and the plate 38 A, 38B can be reinforced with the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B in this manner.

[0047] In other embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be secured to the strut 34 by other devices or attachment methods. For example, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be secured to the strut 34 by welding. Alternatively, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be secured to the strut 34 by other types of fasteners (e.g., bolts, pins, etc.). In some embodiments, the lower reinforcement plate 70B may be secured to the strut 34 by a combination of welding and fasteners.

[0048] With reference back to FIG. 2, the strut 34 is attached to the upper plate 38A and the lower plate 38B such that the strut 34 extends between the upper plate 38A and the lower plate 38B. The fasteners 66 are used to secure the strut 34, along with the upper and lower reinforcement plates 70A, 70B, to the node 30. In other embodiments, the strut 34 may be further attached to the node 30 by welding. In other embodiments, the strut 34 may be attached to the node 30 by a combination of fasteners 66 and / or welding. When attached, the upper and lower reinforcement plates 70A, 70B extend beyond a connection area between the strut 34 and the node 30. In other words, the upper and lower reinforcement plates 70A, 70B extend along the strut 34 beyond or outside a footprint of the node 30. Stated otherwise, the plates 38A, 38B each include an outer circumference 39 (see FIG. 2) defined by an outermost diameter of the plate. A portion 40 of the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B (only lower reinforcement plate 70B is easily visible in FIG. 2) thus extends from the outermost diameter of the lower plate 38B to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the lower plate 38B. The portion 40 is connected to the flange 58A, 58B, and as shown in FIG. 2, is connected to the lower flange 58B. Fasteners such as rivets 82 are used in some examples (see also FIG. 4) via apertures 62, 86 to secure the portion 40 to the flange 58 A, 58B. In some examples, a length of the portion 40 that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate 38A, 38B to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the plate 38A, 38B is substantially equal to or less than a length of a portion 40 of thereinforcement plate that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate 38A, 38B to radially inside of the outermost diameter of the plate 38 A, 38B.

[0049] To assemble the entire frame 22, multiple sets of fasteners 66 are used to secure the plurality of struts 34, along with the upper and lower reinforcement plates 70A, 70B, to the plurality of nodes 30. The plurality of nodes 30 are interconnected with the plurality of struts 34 to form the frame 22. The panels 26 are then attached to frame 22. In some embodiments, potential loads throughout the roof 18 may be calculated. In such embodiments, reinforcement plates 70A, 70B may only be included on some of the struts 34 where potential stress or strain is calculated to be highest.

[0050] The reinforcement plate 70A, 70B provides increased strength to the roof 18 without significantly increasing the weight of the roof 18. The reinforcement plate 70A, 70B provides a localized location to strengthen the bond or connection between the strut 34 and the node 30. Because the reinforcement plate 70A, 70B extends only a portion of a length of the strut 34 and does not extend an entire length of the strut 34, the amount of material being added to the roof 18 is minimized. The reinforcement plate 70A, 70B, thereby, provides a localized strength zone at the connection between the strut 34 and the node 30 where failures may occur.

[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a cross sectional view of a node 30. In the example shown in FIG. 8, three different struts 34, e.g., struts 34A, 34B, and 34C all connected to a same node 30.Referring to relative locations in FIG. 8, the strut 34A connects to one side of the node 30, and strut 34C connects to an opposite side of the node 30. Strut 34B extends out toward the viewer, and thus the cross section of the strut 34B is similar to the cross section shown in FIG. 7.

[0052] Referring again to FIG. 8, the node 30 includes an upper plate 38A and a lower plate 38B, which each include offset portions 90. The offset portions 90 are angled portions of the upper plate 38A and lower plate 38B, which receive either a first or second end 46, 50 of the struts 34A, 34C. Similar to the other examples disclosed herein, the upper flanges 58A of the struts 34A, 34C connect to the upper plate 38A, and the lower flanges 58B of the struts 34A, 34C connect to the lower plate 38B. Upper reinforcement plates 70A reinforce the connection of the struts 34A, 34C to the upper plate 38A, and lower reinforcement plates 70B reinforce theconnection of the stmts 34A, 34C to the lower plate 38B. Like the other embodiments disclosed herein, fasteners 66 are used to facilitate these connections.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 8, the offset portions 90 are slightly angled relative to, for example, portions of the upper and lower plate 38A, 38B where the strut 34B connects to the node 30.The upper and lower plate 38 A, 38B are generally parallel to each other through the offset portions 90. The offset portion is offset by for example, 10 degrees or less, or in some examples, 5 degrees or less, or in some examples 1 degree or less from portions of the upper and lower plate 38A, 38B where the strut 34B connects to the node 30. The combination of the struts 34A, 34B, 34C and nodes 30 with the offset portions 90, in some examples, are adapted such that the frame 22 forms a geodesic dome. Depending on the numbers of nodes 30, number of struts 34, and the length of the struts (e.g., the flange length Lf), the angles of the offset portions are calculated based on formulae for forming such geodesic domes.

[0054] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more independent aspects of the invention as described.

[0055] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A frame for a roof of a structure, the frame comprising: a node including a plate; a strut connected to the node, the strut including: a flange connected to the plate, and a web connected to and extending orthogonally from the flange; and a reinforcement plate coupled to the flange and configured to reinforce the connection between the plate and the flange, wherein the flange is sandwiched between the plate and the reinforcement plate.

2. The frame of claim 1, wherein the flange, the plate, and the reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp together the flange, the plate, and the reinforcement plate.

3. The frame of claim 2, wherein the reinforcement plate includes a portion that extends from an outermost diameter of the plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the plate, wherein the portion is connected to the flange, and wherein the portion includes additional apertures therethrough, the additional apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp the reinforcement plate to the flange.

4. The frame of claim 3, wherein a length of the portion of the reinforcement plate that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the plate is substantially equal to or less than a length of a portion of the reinforcement plate that extends from the outermost diameter of the plate to radially inside of the outermost diameter of the plate.

5. The frame of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement plate is seated on the flange and abuts the web.

6. The frame of claim 5, wherein the flange extends away from the web a substantially same length as the reinforcement plate extends away from the web.

7. The frame of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement plate is a first reinforcement plate, wherein the frame includes a second reinforcement plate, the second reinforcement plate being positioned on an opposite side of the web from the first reinforcement plate, and wherein the flange is also sandwiched between the plate and the second reinforcement plate.

8. The frame of claim 7, wherein the first reinforcement plate is seated on the flange and abuts a first side of the web, and wherein the second reinforcement plate is also seated on the flange and abuts the opposite side of the web.

9. The frame of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the flange is equal to or greater than a thickness of the reinforcement plate.

10. The frame of claim 9, wherein the thickness of the reinforcement plate is greater than 50% of the thickness of the flange.

11. The frame of claim 1, wherein the node is one of a plurality of nodes, wherein the strut is one of a plurality of struts, and wherein the plate of each of the plurality of nodes comprises offset portions, the offset portions for attaching respective struts of at least two struts of the plurality of struts thereto, the offset portions being configured such that the frame forms a geodesic dome formed from the plurality of nodes and the plurality of struts.

12. The frame of claim 1, wherein the node is one of a plurality of nodes, wherein the strut has a length extending from a first end to a second end, the first end configured to connect to the node and the second end configured to connect to another node of the plurality of nodes, and wherein the length is at least ten times a length of the reinforcement plate along a largest dimension of the reinforcement plate.

13. The frame of claim 1, wherein the flange is an upper flange, wherein the strut includes a lower flange, wherein the upper flange and the lower flange are connected to opposite sides of the web, and wherein the reinforcement plate is located between the upper flange and the lower flange.

14. The frame of claim 13, wherein the plate is an upper plate and the node further includes a lower plate, wherein the reinforcement plate is an upper reinforcement plate and the frame further includes a lower reinforcement plate, and wherein the lower flange, the lower plate, and the lower reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures configured to receive fasteners to clamp together the lower flange, the lower plate, and the lower reinforcement plate.

15. A structure including: a base configured for holding material; and a roof coupled to and covering the base, the roof including: a frame comprising: a plurality of nodes, each node including a plate, a plurality of struts connected to the plurality of nodes, each strut including: a flange connected to the plate of a corresponding node of the plurality of nodes, and a web connected to and extending orthogonally from the flange, a plurality of reinforcement plates, each reinforcement plate coupled to the flange of a corresponding strut of the plurality of struts and configured to reinforce the connection between the plate and the flange, wherein the flange of each strut of the plurality of struts is sandwiched between the plate and the reinforcement plate, and a plurality of panels supported by the frame.

16. The structure of claim 15, wherein the frame forms a geodesic dome formed from the plurality of nodes and the plurality of struts.

17. The structure of claim 16, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is polygonal in shape and includes a plurality of corners, and wherein each node of the plurality of nodes is positioned adjacent a corner of the plurality of corners of at least one panel of the plurality of panels.

18. The structure of claim 17, wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is triangular, and wherein each node of the plurality of nodes is positioned adjacent a respective corner of the plurality of corners of at least three panels of the plurality of panels.

19. A frame for a roof of a structure, the frame comprising: a node including an upper plate and a lower plate; a strut connected to the node, the strut, in cross section, being shaped as an I-beam and including: an upper flange, a lower flange, and a web connecting the upper flange to the lower flange; an upper reinforcement plate coupled to the upper flange such that the upper flange is retained between the upper reinforcement plate and the upper plate, the upper reinforcement plate configured to reinforce a connection between the upper plate and the upper flange; and a lower reinforcement plate coupled to the lower flange such that the lower flange is retained between the lower reinforcement plate and the lower plate, the lower reinforcement plate configured to reinforce a connection between the lower plate and the lower flange.

20. The frame of claim 19, wherein the upper flange, the upper plate, and the upper reinforcement plate each include apertures therethrough, the apertures having therein respective fasteners configured to clamp together the upper flange, the upper plate, and the upper reinforcement plate, and wherein the upper reinforcement plate includes a portion that extends from an outermost diameter of the upper plate to radially beyond the outermost diameter of the upper plate, andwherein the portion includes additional apertures therethrough, the additional apertures having therein respective fasteners configured to clamp the upper reinforcement plate to the upper flange.

Images