An assembly for integrating an elongate structural member is provided. The elongate structural member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongate mid-portion that extends between the first and the second end portions. The first end portion is within a first plane and the second end portion within a second plane, and the first and the second planes are offset and parallel to each other. The elongate mid-portion is sloped between the first and the second planes. each of the first and the second end portions defining therein a polygonal hole. Multiple elongate structural members may be used to assemble a lattice structure.

An assembly for integrating an elongate structural member is provided. The elongate structural member includes a first end portion, a second end portion, and an elongate mid-portion that extends between the first and the second end portions. The first end portion is within a first plane and the second end portion within a second plane, and the first and the second planes are offset and parallel to each other. The elongate mid-portion is sloped between the first and the second planes. each of the first and the second end portions defining therein a polygonal hole. Multiple elongate structural members may be used to assemble a lattice structure.

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 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.

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 present invention comprises a structure for coverage formed by various structural elements, in particular a main element comprising one piece (stringer), said stringer (1) comprising in its basic embodiment a steel plate approximately 1-2 mm thick, conformed in a characteristic way by a tool in a continuous process, said shape essentially longitudinal, comprising several holes (5, 7) and pairs of fins (9), also known as shields in your extension, arranged modularly in a characteristic fashion in a basic pre-determined pattern, the piece (stringer) (1) being capable of being made in several lengths, being connected to one another by connecting plates (6) of characteristic geometry.

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.

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.

A novel system and related methods for sequentially deploying, in automated or semi-automated fashion, a strip of a plurality of truss bays with integral solar panels from a moving carrier onto a surface being traversed, resulting in a long, contiguous truss structure laid upon on the surface. The solar panels are angled at a predetermined orientation for solar operation at the deployment location. The carrier is easily and quickly reloaded with another set of truss bays for repeated deployment of a series of strips of solar truss structures in a solar array. The solar array thus is constructed in substantially less time and with substantially less labor that conventional support racking in the filed using prior art piece-wise assembly operations.

The present invention comprises a structure for coverage formed by various structural elements, in particular a main element comprising one piece (stringer), said stringer (1) comprising in its basic embodiment a steel plate approximately 1-2 mm thick, conformed in a characteristic way by a tool in a continuous process, said shape essentially longitudinal, comprising several holes (5, 7) and pairs of fins (9), also known as shields in your extension, arranged modularly in a characteristic fashion in a basic pre-determined pattern, the piece (stringer) (1) being capable of being made in several lengths, being connected to one another by connecting plates (6) of characteristic geometry.