This invention is about a connector, connecting bars and components, like panels and braces, in a supporting framework. The connector has a holder, having a first and a second end, the first end, connected to the connector, the second end, connected to the framework component. The connector comprises a plurality of faces, each adapted to be connected to one bar, the faces located in a corresponding plurality of faces of an imaginary polyhedron.

A system is disclosed comprising a plurality of connected cuboctahedrons forming a column for a building, cuboctahedron comprising a plurality of legs connected by connectors, the first ends of two short sections of a leg are screwed into two separate first and second connector balls, and wherein the first ends of two separate coupling nuts are screwed fully onto the first and second ends of a longer separate section of leg, and wherein the first and second ends of each such longer section of leg, with said coupling nuts screwed fully thereon, are fitted end to end with the second ends of the two short sections of leg already fitted into the corresponding first and second connector balls, first above mentioned, and wherein the first ends of each such coupling nuts are screwed from the first and second ends of the longer section of leg onto the second ends of the short sections of leg first above mentioned which had been screwed into said first and second connector balls.

Examples of first node elements, second node elements, and kits are disclosed. Also, methods for assembling a lattice structure are disclosed. A first node element has a coupling side, the coupling side further having one or more hollow insertion channels, each channel being configured to receive one of the elongated bars, and each channel having a longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis of each channel being tilted at an angle with respect to a plane defined by the coupling side. Moreover, the first node element has a contact side, the contact side having an opening, the opening communicating with each of the hollow insertion channels forming a corresponding through-hole such that to form the lattice structure the elongated bars are inserted into the hollow channels from the contact side to the coupling side and traversing the corresponding through-hole.

A machining method and coupling structure for a fiber reinforced plastic structure member (1) obtained by narrowing an end of the member (1). Also included are a reinforcing member (4) which inhibits expansion by adhering to the outer circumference of the narrowed portion of the fiber reinforced plastic structure member, a locking member (2) which is provided with a through-hole (2a) in an axial direction and which fits into a narrowed portion (1a) of the fiber reinforced plastic structure member 1, a coupling anchoring member (3) which is provided with a rotation stop on the side thereof, and a spacer (5) which restricts only a rotation of the coupling anchoring member (3) and which is attached between a member (7) to be coupled and an end of the fiber reinforced plastic structure member (1) by passing the coupling anchoring member (3) through so as to slide in the axial direction.

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 node element for a furniture system having a three-dimensional load-bearing tubular structure comprises a plurality of connection points for the mechanical fastening of two or more tubes. It further comprises two regions which are electrically insulated from each other and which are arranged such that two electrical polarities can be coaxially tapped at the connection points for the tubes.

A support-framework (1) supports a surface (2), or supported elements, at a designed variable spacing from a support surface (3), using elongate supports (4) of rod-from or tubular-form that act as ties or struts. Each support (4) is anchored at one of its ends to the supported surface (2) or element and, at the other end, to the support surface (3). The anchoring at each end is via a node N that involves an individual domed-member (5) which is secured to the relevant surface (2, 3) or supported element, and which has a part-spherical surface (6) to which the elongate supports (4) are anchored to extend radially by a coupling (12). The domed-members (5) are metallic or plastics, and may each be hemispherical having an outwardly directed equatorial flange (7) by which they are secured to the relevant surface (2, 3) or supported element.

A system is disclosed comprising a plurality of connected cuboctahedrons forming a column for a building, cuboctahedron comprising a plurality of legs connected by connectors, the first ends of two short sections of a leg are screwed into two separate first and second connector balls, and wherein the first ends of two separate coupling nuts are screwed fully onto the first and second ends of a longer separate section of leg, and wherein the first and second ends of each such longer section of leg, with said coupling nuts screwed fully thereon, are fitted end to end with the second ends of the two short sections of leg already fitted into the corresponding first and second connector balls, first above mentioned, and wherein the first ends of each such coupling nuts are screwed from the first and second ends of the longer section of leg onto the second ends of the short sections of leg first above mentioned which had been screwed into said first and second connector balls.

A spatial structure that enables the assembly and disassembly of architectural elements quickly and easily, ensuring the necessary structural robustness and which basically comprises a node (1) with a plurality of sockets (2), a bar (3) intended for insertion at either of the two ends thereof in said sockets (2), a perforated screw (5) whose inner surface (6) allows the insertion of the end of the bar (3) and whose outer surface is coupled to the sockets (2), and a portion of flexible washer (8) suitable for insertion into the socket (2) of the node (1) and closing by compression as a result of the thrust exerted by the perforated screw (5) to adopt the shape of a substantially closed washer such that said bar (3) is locked inside the perforated screw (5), preventing the disassembly of the structure but not the rotation of the bar (3) inside the socket (2).

A modular unit for forming a multiple member joint includes: an elongate body; a bracket attached adjacent an end of the elongate body, the bracket located around a longitudinal axis of the modular unit; a plurality of connectors associated with the bracket with a position retention mechanism, the plurality of connectors extending from the end of the elongate body parallel to a longitudinal axis of the modular unit; and one or more connector joints attached at a distal end of the plurality of connectors, wherein the one or more connector joints are adapted to join with one or more connector joints of connectors extending from connectors of an adjoining modular unit.