A framework module for use in modular building construction comprises a plurality of elongate upright and cross beams, rigidly connected at or towards their ends to form a box frame with open side and end faces, and; at least one connection point on each of the upright beams which is configured to allow mutual connection with an equivalent connection point located on a substantially identical adjacent framework module, so that a plurality of framework modules can be connected together to form an open-web truss of vertically and horizontally aligned members.

A cross-bracing arrangement is provided for bracing between two hollow structural poles. The bracing arrangement provides for pivoting between the cross-brace and each of the hollow structural poles, for adjustment of the effective length of the cross-brace, and for angular adjustment of one end of the cross-brace relative to the other end of the cross-brace.

A shelter system is shown and described. A hub for a shelter system is shown and described. A frame for a shelter system is shown and described. In one embodiment, the shelter system includes a frame, a cover and a hub. The frame may be collapsible. The cover is configured to fit with the frame. The hub may include a receiver slot, a receiver sleeve and an attachment projection. The result is a shelter system with reduced set up time, effort and requirements and improved strength and ease of use. The inventions may also be considered a shelter kit and/or a shelter and hub method.

A prefabricated column assembly includes a hollow tubular column having a longitudinal axis. A gusset plate assembly includes a plurality of gusset plates connected to the column and extending laterally outward from the column in planes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the column. A first pair of the gusset plates extends laterally outward from the column along a first axis and defines a space for receiving an end portion of a first beam for mounting the first beam on the first pair of gusset plates. A second pair of the gusset plates extends laterally outward from the column along a second axis that is nonparallel and non-coincident with the first axis. The second pair of gusset plates defines a space for receiving an end portion of a second beam for mounting the second beam on the second pair of gusset plates to provide a bi-axial joint connection.

A deck board support bracket includes a drainage channel in a top surface of the bracket and deck boards are secured in an end to end manner with a space between two deck board ends centered over the drainage channel. Water presented on the deck surface at two deck board ends passes therebetween and to one side of a supporting joist. The deck board support bracket can be used with various deck board fastening arrangements and preferably is made of an injection molded plastic material.

A method for erecting or assembling a frame includes the steps of: forming a joint with at least two frame members placed at an angle to one another, each frame members is a metal tube, no coping nor fittings are used to form the joint; wrapping the joint with a saddle, the saddle is a bent flat metal member with at least one hole overlaying each frame member; and plug welding the saddle to each frame member by filling each hole with weld metal. A frame includes: a joint formed by at least two frame members set at an angle to one another, each frame member is a metal tube; a saddle is wrapped over the joint, the saddle is a flat metal member with at least one hole overlaying each frame member; and a plug weld joining the saddle to each frame member, via weld metal filling the hole.

A magnetic strut channel fitting includes first and second plates connected to each other and a plurality of magnets embedded into at least one of the first and second plates. According to another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat plate and a plurality of magnets embedded into the plate. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a magnetic strut channel fitting includes a substantially flat connecting plate, first and second arm members, each of the first and second arm members having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate, and a plurality of magnets, the plurality of magnets embedded into the connecting plate to allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhere to a strut channel. The plurality of magnets allow the magnetic strut channel fitting to be magnetically adhered to a strut channel.

An architectural structure for constructing a variety of goods in a variety of configurations is provided. The architectural structure includes a plurality of paired slat-like members and a spine configured to hold the plurality of paired slat-like members in an expanded state. Each paired slat-like members includes joined upper ends, joined lower ends and an expandable central region joined to an adjacent paired slat-like members.

A hybrid truss assembly with a truss bay centrally deployed, and with half-bays deployed on either side. The configuration provides four panels (such as solar panels), with two chords connected by four transverse members. The half-bays are locked in a rigid position using a barrel lock hinge assembly. The half-bays fold compactly beside the folded center bay assembly when retracted. The truss assembly may be pivotally mounted on a mobile cart, and may then be manually or automatically tilted or rotated to a desired angle.

The invention relates to the field of building, and more particularly to a space frame, and can be used for creating wall structures, columns, supports, ceilings and complex dome structures for different purposes. The space frame comprises rods and polyhedral nodes with threaded apertures on the faces thereof for fastening said rods, wherein the rods have a tubular cylindrical shape and have an external thread on their ends, the diameter of the external thread of a rod corresponding to the diameter of a threaded aperture, and the space frame further comprises a coupling with an internal thread, capable of detachably connecting rods. The technical result is that of simplifying and expediting assembly by standardizing the component parts, while at the same time preserving the strength of the space frame.