Abstract:
Terraced structured land joint and assembly system is disclosed, and includes a plurality of ball joints, each providing monolithic anchors for a plurality of compression and tension members. Tension members reside within compression members. Compression/tension members are linked between ball joints by couplers and turnbuckles, defining structured land including planar space frames, horizontal truss members, and vertical truss members. Structural forces are transferred through the ball joints into horizontal and vertical truss members, with resultant loads transferred to the ground.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     None. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICRO-FICHE APPENDIX 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to structured land and the replaceable framing parts necessary for such structures and, more particularly, to the use of a joint and assembly system for terraced structured land, the system combining separate members for tension and compression forces into an integrated assembly member. 
     2. Description of the Related Art including Information Disclosed Under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98 
     A search of the prior art located the following United States patents and patent publications which are believed to be representative of the present state of the prior art: U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,099, issued May 3, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,852, issued Feb. 18, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,804, issued Jul. 7, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,984, issued Aug. 29, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,434, issued May 6, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,090, issued Nov. 25, 1986; U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,043, issued Mar. 21, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,129, issued May 27, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,399, issued Apr. 11, 1989; U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,019, issued Sep. 24, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,993, issued Oct. 29, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 7,024,834, issued Apr. 11, 2006; U.S. Patent Publication No. 1006/0112657, published Jun. 1, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 5,341,611, issued Aug. 30, 1994; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,118, issued Jul. 3, 1984. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Terraced structural framing concepts encompass vertical and horizontal elements, and are best achieved using structured land that implements efficient use of unused land, such as land with weak stratum soil, slopes, and the dead air space of overcrowded cities, by making use of the air space above and in it. 
     Horizontal or planar structured land provides space where all activities take place; the ultimate form of which is the earth&#39;s surface. Proposed horizontal structured land platforms are placed one above the other in a stair like manner, terminating in a terraced mountain shape. These horizontal terraces are supported by vertical elements which transfer all loads to the ground. 
     Unlike most all structures which are built having a life span of effective functional use, terraced structural framing, like earth&#39;s surface, must function for a much longer time period. Thus, these structures must be constructed to be both adaptable and economical. In the near future, with building materials possibly using nano-technology, they may be self-sustaining. Until such time, today&#39;s technology must be implemented. 
     Thus, three-dimension efficient use of these unused spaces will address future overcrowding issues and would accelerate development to satisfy the following requirements: 1) ensure the flexibility necessary to accommodate quick changes in urban structures; 2) offer a variety of sizes, shapes or compositions and to readily apply to all types of use by setting a standardized variety of structural components; 3) ensure that every structural component with multiple component functions can be cheaply mass-produced in large quantities in the future; 4) ensure that fabrication and demolition of components can be achieved quickly and mechanically without posing problems of danger, noise, and vibration to areas adjacent to the construction site; 5) ensure safety in the event of natural or other disasters; 6) ensure that for the modularization of such necessary urban equipment systems as power supply, waste disposal-treatment, and information systems, that a terminal circuit net can be installed by compounding them and that such systems can be quickly fabricated as components to the highest possible degree; 7) ensure that systems for efficient use of energy and resources can be installed; 8) provide a structure that can cope with the distribution of traffic and materials; 9) provide an excellent living environment by planting trees on all levels, and to provide such mental comforts such as insulation, ventilation, soundproofing and privacy; 10) provide a constructed structure affording sufficient strength as an urban structure; and 11) reuse of resources must be possible after demolition. 
     The solution to achieve these requirements must also satisfy all of the following general assembly, maintenance, and disassembly criteria: a) structures constructed of materials readily available; b) structures made of components easily transportable; c) structures made of components easy to assemble and disassemble; and d) structural components replaceable without disruption to the structural system and the life activities of inhabitants of the structural system. 
     The best known solution to meet all these criteria are framing systems consisting of trusses. For the horizontal platform, a space frame is used. Truss columns and beams transfer the space frame loads to the ground. Truss members typically are modular length chords and associated connecting joints. For space framing, there are two members. For beams and columns there are three members. For the connection between space frame and beams or columns, joints are required. One type of joint is used for platforms or horizontal surface elements; another joint is used for the vertical elements. The efficiency of these structures is enhanced when tension members are inside compression members. 
     Many truss based connectors for variable space frame structural systems have been developed. In total, these systems have limitations as to one or more of the necessary criteria for terraced structural framing systems using known construction materials. Similarly, these known systems do not lend themselves to be self-sustaining with future construction materials. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a truss joint and assembly system with tension and compression members integrated into the same connector element between each joint. 
     It is a further objective to provide a truss joint and assembly system which can be quickly constructed from known materials without the necessity of welding or other specialized construction trades. 
     It is yet a further objective to provide a truss joint and assembly system easily assembled and disassembled, and maintainable without disruption to the life activities of inhabitants. 
     A further objective is to provide a truss joint and assembly system which can be easily assembled without the necessity of advanced training or specialized knowledge. 
     Finally, it is an objective to provide a truss joint and assembly system the components of which are easily transportable to a point of assembly. 
     The terraced structured land joint and assembly system is directed to a such an efficient and affordable structural system and method for constructing terraced structural framing of any scale. Joints are used to provide space framing and truss columns and beams, and to connect the two systems. All framing members between joints have tension members within compression members. These intermediary framing members combine internal couplers and turnbuckles and external couplers to transfer compressive or load forces to or from the joint. As such, space framing members support horizontal platforms. Truss columns and beams transfer the space frame loads to the ground. 
     Other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of representative structured land  1000  including a plurality of modules  500  constructed from an embodiment of the terraced structured land joint and assembly system. 
         FIG. 2  is an expanded detail, front elevation view of the representative structured land  1000  of  FIG. 1 , including a plurality of modules  500 , each such module  500  having a plurality of planar space frames  600 , a plurality of horizontal truss members  700 , and a plurality of vertical truss members  800 . 
         FIG. 3  is a is a side elevation view of the representative structured land  1000  of  FIG. 2 , including a plurality of modules  500 , each such module  500  having a plurality of planar space frames  600 , a plurality of horizontal truss members  700 , and a plurality of vertical truss members  800 . 
         FIG. 4  is an expanded detail, side elevation view of the representative structured land  1000  of  FIG. 3 , including a plurality of modules  500 , each such module  500  having a plurality of planar space frames  600 , a plurality of horizontal truss members  700 , and a plurality of vertical truss members  800 , and including the interface  650  between space frames  600  and horizontal truss members  700 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a representative planar space frame  600 , including a plurality of ball joints  20  and a plurality of interlinking tension/compression members  10  connected to the ball joints  20 . 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an embodiment of ball joint  20 A with a plurality of mortises  74  (sockets) and including a plurality monolithic tension members  70  each within a mortise  74 , 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an embodiment of ball joint  20 B with a plurality of compression tenons  22  (stubs, nodes) and including a plurality monolithic tension members  70  each centered on a ball joint compression tenon  24 . 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the ball joint  20 B of  FIG. 7 , and including a plurality monolithic tension members  70  each centered on a ball joint compression tenon  24 . 
         FIG. 9  is a cut away view A - A of  FIG. 5  depicting an interlinking tension/compression member  10  connected to the ball joint  20 B of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9A  is an expanded view of a portion of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 9B  is an expanded view of the portion of  FIG. 9  not shown in  FIG. 9A .  FIG. 10  is a side elevation view of a tension coupler  100  of the interlinking tension/compression member  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 10A  is an exploded end view of the tension coupler  100  of  FIG. 10  including two equal sized split annular flange portions  102 A and  102 B. 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevation view of a compression coupler  30  of the interlinking tension/compression member  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 11A  is an exploded end view of the compression coupler  30  of  FIG. 11  including two equal sized split annular flange portions  32 A and  32 B. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of a turnbuckle  80  of the interlinking tension/compression member  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 12A  is a left end elevation view of the turnbuckle  80  of  FIG. 12  including a keyed opening  82 , 
         FIG. 12B  is a right end elevation view of the turnbuckle  80  of  FIG. 12  including a threaded opening  84 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of a tension coupler  90  of the interlinking tension/compression member  10  of  FIG. 9 . 
         FIG. 13A  is an exploded left end view of the tension coupler  90  of  FIG. 13  including two equal sized split annular flange portions  92 A and  92 B. 
         FIG. 13B  is an exploded right end view of the tension coupler  90  of  FIG. 13  including two equal sized split annular flange portions  92 A and  92 B. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detail description of exemplary embodiments of the terraced structured land joint and assembly wherein reference numbers for the same and similar elements are carried forward throughout the various drawing figures. It is understood and should be noted that the figures are not drawn to any particular scale and are provided herein principally for illustrative purposes only. 
     The preferred embodiment of structured land using the terraced structured land joint and assembly is the mountain,  FIG. 1 . The structured land of  FIG. 1  can change; it can grow; and, it can transform. Using a computer world analogy where the terraced mountain is “hardware,” all structures and building spaces created on and inside the terraced mountain are “software.” With the terraced structured land joint and assembly disclosed above, the software can be added without sequential staging as present construction practices require. Further, all components of the terraced structured land joint and assembly can be built in factories, easily transported to the job site, and assembled without training or extensive knowledge of construction trades. Construction time is greatly reduced. Weather or seasonal considerations would not dictate construction scheduling. 
     With reference to drawing  FIGS. 1-13B , a terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land is presented. An embodiment of he land joint and assembly includes a plurality of ball joints  20 A having outer surfaces, each ball joint having a plurality of monolithic mortises  74  of even diameter disposed on the ball joint outer surface  26  at predetermined locations and angles, each such monolithic mortise having a monolithic tension member  70  of predetermined diameter centered in each mortise  74  and extending orthogonally therefrom for a predetermined length along a longitudinal axis and having a swelled end portion  72 ,  FIGS. 6 ,  9  and  9 A. A second embodiment of the land joint and assembly further includes a plurality of ball joints  20 B having outer surfaces, each ball joint having a plurality of monolithic tenons  24  disposed on the ball joint outer surface  26  at predetermined locations and angles, each such monolithic node having a monolithic tension member  70  of predetermined diameter centered on the tenon  24  and extending orthogonally therefrom for a predetermined length along a longitudinal axis and having a swelled end portion  72 ,  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  9 , and  9 A. 
     An embodiment of the land joint and assembly further includes: a) a plurality of compression members  40  of predetermined length defining a uniform compression member cross-sectional area and uniform compression member interior volume  44  for receiving and housing at least one tension member  50 , and having two compression ends sized to receive a monolithic ball joint tenon  24 ,  FIGS. 7-9B ; b) a plurality of tension members  50  of predetermined length along a longitudinal axis, at least one first tension member having two equal sized swelled end portions  52  of even diameters and orthogonally disposed to the tension member longitudinal axis, a diameter of uniform cross-sectional area between the swelled end portions  52 , and a third, larger swelled portion  54  proximal to one of the smaller, swelled end portions  52  and orthogonally disposed to the tension member longitudinal axis, and at least one second tension member having two unequal sized swelled end portions of different diameters orthogonally disposed to the second tension member longitudinal axis, a diameter of uniform cross-sectional area between the swelled end portions, the larger end portion  53  having a threaded extension  55  along the second tension member longitudinal axis, each such tension member sized to be housed within a compression member interior  44 ; c) a plurality of first tension coupling means  100  sized to reside within a compression member interior  40  and to couple one first tension member swelled end portion  52  without orthogonally threaded extension to a monolithic tension member swelled end portion  72 ; d) a plurality of turn buckle assemblies  80  sized to reside within a compression member interior  44  and to adjustably couple and house one second tension member larger swelled end portion  53  with threaded member  55  to a first tension member smaller swelled end portion  52 ; e) a plurality of second tension coupling assemblies  90  sized to reside within a compression member interior  44  and to house one turn buckle assembly  80  coupling a first tension member smaller swelled end portion  52  to a second tension member threaded member  55 , and further house and connect one larger tension member swelled end portion  54  to a second larger tension member swelled end portion  53 ; and f) a plurality of compression coupling assemblies  30  sized to connect and house a first compression member end  42  and a second compression member end  42 ; whereby the plurality of ball joints  20 , tension members  50 , and compression members  40 , coupling assemblies  90  and  100 , and turn buckle assemblies  80  provide at least one assembly for space frame  600 , at least one assembly for horizontal support  700  of at least one assembly for space frame  600 , and at least one assembly for vertical support  800  of at least one assembly for horizontal support  700  of at least one assembly for space frame  600 . The tension member smaller swelled end portions  52  are approximately the same size as the monolithic tension stub swelled end portion  72 . The tension member larger swelled end portions  53  and  54  are approximately the same size. 
     In an embodiment of the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land, each first tension coupling assembly  100  includes two equal sized split annular flange portions  102 A and  102 B, each split portion including an outer radius defining two, small semi-circle openings  104  sized to receive the tension member  50  and tension member  70  diameters of approximately the same uniform cross-sectional area between the smaller sized swelled end portion  52  and larger sized swelled end portion  54 , and monolithic tenon  24  and monolithic tension stub swelled end portion  72 , respectively,  FIGS. 9 ,  9 A,  10 , and  10 A. Each first tension coupling assembly  100  further includes an inner radius defining a second, large semi-circle opening  106  sized to receive the smaller tension member swelled end portion  52  and monolithic tension stub swelled end portion  72  diameters. Each first tension coupling assembly  100  further includes top  108  and bottom  110  faces having corresponding openings  112  sized to receive fasteners to join and secure the split annular flange portions.  102 A and  102 B. When joined, the faces  108  and  110  are flush. The two, small semi-circle openings  104  receive and secure the tension member diameters of two opposing tension members. The second, large semi-circle opening  106  receives and secures tension member swelled end portions  52  and  72  of two opposing tension members  50  and  70 . In this fashion, the tension forces along the tension members&#39; longitudinal axes are transferred from one tension member to the other tension member through the first tension coupling means  100 . 
     In an embodiment of the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land, each turn buckle assembly  80  includes a flanged cylinder  86  having an interior recess  81  sized to receive and hold a tension member small swelled end portion  52 . The turn buckle assembly further includes a threaded opening  84  on one end corresponding to the tension member threaded extension  55  to adjustably tighten the tension member  50 . The turnbuckle assembly  80  further includes a keyed opening  82  on the other end swelled end portion sized to accept the tension members  50  and  60  uniform cross-sectional areas between swelled end portions  54  and  52  and  53  and  52 , respectively, while securing the smaller swelled end portion  52  within the flanged cylinder interior recess  81 ,  FIGS. 9-9B , and  12 - 12 B. 
     In an embodiment of the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land, each second tension coupling assembly  90  includes two equal sized split annular flange portions  92 A and  92 B, each split portion including an outer radius defining two, small semi-circle openings  94  sized to receive the tension member  50  diameters of approximately the same uniform cross-sectional area between the smaller sized swelled end portion  52  and larger sized swelled end portion  54 ,  FIGS. 9-9B , and  13 - 13 B. The second tension coupling assembly  90  further includes split portion faces  93  and  95 , and an inner radius  96  defining a second, large semi-circle opening  97  sized to receive and house at least one turnbuckle assembly,  80 , and tension member large swelled end portions,  53  and  54 . Corresponding openings  99  sized to receive fasteners to join and secure the split annular flange face portions,  93  and  95 , to tension member large swelled end portions,  53  and  54 , housed within the second tension coupling assembly  90 . When joined, the two, small semi-circle openings  94  receive and secure the tension member diameters of two opposing tension members  50  and  60  engaged within the turnbuckle assembly  80 . The second, large semi-circle opening  97  houses the turnbuckle assembly  80 . The tension member large swelled end portions,  53  and  54 , are secured by fasteners to the faces,  93  and  95 , such that tension forces along the tension members&#39; longitudinal axes are transferred from one tension member  50  to the other tension member  60  through the second tension coupling assembly  90 . 
     All elements of the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land are manufactured from metals, advanced carbon fibers, including buckyballs, buckytubes and other nano-fiber graphenes and fullerenes, and other advanced structural composites. 
     As disclosed herein above, the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land can be assembled to provide an assembly for space frame  600 , a horizontal support assembly  700  for supporting the assembly for space frame  600 , and vertical support assembly  800  for transferring loads from the horizontal support assembly  700  to the earth  2000 ,  FIG. 2 . 
     The terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land can include a series of interlocking chords and joints in a horizontal, planar geometric pattern, and wherein the cords and joints to provide an assembly for space frame  600 , a horizontal support assembly  700  for supporting the assembly for space frame  600 , and vertical support assembly  800  for transferring loads from the horizontal support assembly  700  to the earth  2000 ,  FIGS. 1-5 . 
     The terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land further can include two member trusses consisting of modular length chords and joints, and wherein the cords and joints to provide an assembly for space frame  600 , a horizontal support assembly  700  for supporting the assembly for space frame  600 , and vertical support assembly  800  for transferring loads from the horizontal support assembly  700  to the earth  2000 . 
     The terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land further can include three member trusses consisting of modular length chords and joints, and wherein the cords and joints to provide an assembly for space frame  600 , a horizontal support assembly  700  for supporting the assembly for space frame  600 , and vertical support assembly  800  for transferring loads from the horizontal support assembly  700  to the earth  2000 . 
     All connector parts and frame members of the terraced structured land joint and assembly for structured land are simply designed and are without complex formations. All of these elements can be cast or forged in simple two-part molds. Depending on structural requirements, these elements may be manufactured out of a range of materials from metals, advanced carbon fibers, including buckyballs, buckytubes and other nano-fiber graphenes and fullerenes, and other advanced structural composites. 
     Accordingly, any appropriate casting of forging method for metal components may be used in their manufacture. The fasteners and threaded members can be fabricated using forging techniques for metal components that are commonly used in the manufacture of high strength bolts, and related fasteners. Medium carbon alloy steels with protective coatings that resist corrosion are also highly suitable for fabricating the ball joints, monolithic mortices or tenons, and monolithic tension studs for certain applications. That portion of the ball joint in contact with compression members can additionally be finished to provide a low friction hardened surface. 
     By the foregoing disclosure, a highly structural, simply designed, economical to manufacture and assemble terraced structured land joint and assembly system is presented. The terraced structured land joint and assembly system disclosed herein demonstrates high flexibility of application and high economy of use. By incorporating the principles and features described herein, the improved terraced structured land joint and assembly system is capable of wide-ranging applications in common building construction. The preferred embodiment of the improved joint and assembly system is particularly suited to structured land and, as such, is useful in a wide spectrum of artificial land concepts and applications. The drawings and embodiments of the improved terraced structured land joint and assembly system are illustrative and should not be construed to limit the full range of possible variations which fall within the scope of the invention.