Patent ID: 8627632

Claim:
A node for a solar frame comprising: an elongate portion having ends and having a fastener hole at each end and to which structural elements are attached with fasteners to the elongate portion at either end and which extend from either end in alignment with the elongate portion's central axis; and a plurality of fins, each fin to which a strut end piece of a strut is attached having a rectangular shape with a variable thickness extending radially outward from the elongate portion, the fin supporting at least 200 lbs. of load, the elongate portion and the fins having a circle diameter of less than 12 inches and having an extrusion weight of less than 12 lbs./ft., each fin having a maximum deflection of less than 0.100″ and maximum equivalent stress of less than 21 ksi for loads of 750 lbs. normal to the fin and 1300 lbs. along the fin's axis, all force vectors through the fins from the strut end pieces attached to the fins converge at a common point within the elongate portion, the ends of the elongate portion extending beyond the fin's ends.