Patent ID: 6056240
Filing Date: 2000-05-02
Classification: B64B,E04C,Y10T

Abstract:
A structural member for a supporting framework of an airship, said structural member comprising:at least three longitudinal chords which extend in parallel with each other to form a polygonal structure; anda plurality of diagonally extending transverse struts which connect nodal points of the longitudinal chords via a plurality of nodal point couplers situated at said nodal points:wherein each of the said nodal points couplers comprisesat least one base shell having trough-shaped channels for receiving at least a longitudinal chord and at least one of said struts; andat least one closure shell having a configuration complementary to said at least one base shell, and having trough-shaped channels for receiving said at least a longitudinal chord and said at least one strut;said trough-shaped channels of said at least one base shell and said at least one closure shell together forming sleeves which enclose said at least a longitudinal chord and said at least one strut; whereinthe at least one base shell and the at least one closure shell have gluing flanges for a glued connection which protrude on contact points of the shells;a course of exterior edges of the gluing flanges has a rounded design; andend portions of said sleeved have a wall thickness which is reduced relative to a wall thickness of intermediate portions of said sleeves.