U.S. patent application number 13/107118 was filed with the patent office on 2012-04-26 for support structure and building including same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apple Inc.. Invention is credited to Karl BACKUS, George Bradley, Tim Eliassen, Timothy W. Gudgel, Scott David Hazard, Holger Krueger, Marcin Marchewka, Michael Mulhern, Patrick O'Brien, James O'Callaghan, Yutang Zhang.
Application Number | 20120096777 13/107118 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45971771 |
Filed Date | 2012-04-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120096777 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BACKUS; Karl ; et
al. |
April 26, 2012 |
Support Structure And Building Including Same
Abstract
The present invention relates to support structures including
truss assemblies and purlins, the truss assemblies including
struts, wherein utilities such as pipes and cables can be contained
within the purlins, and can pass through openings in the struts, to
thereby be retained by the support structures so as to be hidden
from view.
Inventors: |
BACKUS; Karl; (Emeryville,
CA) ; Bradley; George; (San Francisco, CA) ;
Eliassen; Tim; (Sunapee, NH) ; Gudgel; Timothy
W.; (Palo Alto, CA) ; Hazard; Scott David;
(Campbell, CA) ; Krueger; Holger; (Schwabmuenchen,
DE) ; Marchewka; Marcin; (London, GB) ;
Mulhern; Michael; (Westford, MA) ; O'Brien;
Patrick; (West Nyack, NY) ; O'Callaghan; James;
(Winchester, GB) ; Zhang; Yutang; (Beijing City,
CN) |
Assignee: |
Apple Inc.
Cupertino
CA
|
Family ID: |
45971771 |
Appl. No.: |
13/107118 |
Filed: |
May 13, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61406395 |
Oct 25, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/80.1 ;
52/173.1; 52/633; 52/639; 52/831 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04B 7/08 20130101; E04B
2/885 20130101; E04C 3/40 20130101; E04C 2003/0491 20130101; E04D
2003/0868 20130101; E04C 3/11 20130101; E06B 1/38 20130101; E04D
3/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/80.1 ; 52/633;
52/173.1; 52/639; 52/831 |
International
Class: |
E04B 7/10 20060101
E04B007/10; E04B 1/32 20060101 E04B001/32; E04C 3/02 20060101
E04C003/02; E04C 3/38 20060101 E04C003/38; E04H 14/00 20060101
E04H014/00 |
Claims
1. A support structure, comprising: a top truss chord extending in
a first direction and including end portions, wherein the top truss
chord curves downwardly; a bottom truss chord including end
portions, wherein the end portions of the bottom truss chord are
coupled to the end portions of the top truss chord, and wherein the
bottom truss chord curves upwardly; a strut extending between and
coupled to the top truss chord and the bottom truss chord; and a
purlin extending in a second direction, wherein the purlin is
coupled to an upper portion of the strut.
2. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the top truss chord
comprises a pair of top truss beams spaced apart from each other,
each top truss beam spanning the length of the top truss chord.
3. The support structure of claim 2, wherein the strut extends
between the top truss beams and is coupled thereto.
4. The support structure of claim 1, wherein the purlin comprises a
pair of purlin beams spaced apart from each other, each purlin beam
spanning the length of the purlin.
5. The support structure of claim 4, wherein the strut extends
between the purlin beams and is coupled thereto.
6. The support structure of claim 4, wherein the strut defines an
opening therethrough, the opening being positioned between the
purlin beams.
7. The support structure of claim 6, further comprising utilities
extending within the purlin and through the opening.
8. The support structure of claim 4, further comprising a lighting
element disposed between the purlin beams.
9. The support structure of claim 1, further comprising a support
coupled to the purlin and configured to support at least a portion
of at least one curved panel.
10. The support structure of claim 9, wherein the support comprises
a tee support, and wherein the tee support is configured to extend
between and support adjacent curved panels.
11. A purlin, comprising: a pair of purlin beams positioned apart
from each other so as to define a space therebetween, each purlin
beam spanning the length of the purlin; a cover plate extending
between the purlin beams at a lower portion thereof; and utilities
extending within the space, disposed above the cover plate.
12. The purlin of claim 11, further comprising a strut disposed
between the purlin beams, wherein the utilities extend through an
opening defined by the strut.
13. The purlin of claim 11, further comprising a lighting track
coupled to the cover plate.
14. A glass roof, comprising: a glass roof panel extending in a
longitudinal direction; a purlin disposed below the roof panel and
extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the purlin is
coupled to and supports the roof panel; and a truss assembly
disposed below the purlin and extending in a transverse direction,
wherein the truss assembly is coupled to and supports the
purlin.
15. The glass roof of claim 14, wherein the roof panel is
curved.
16. The glass roof of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of
glass roof panels, wherein each glass roof panel is positioned
adjacent at least one other glass roof panel, and wherein each
glass roof panel is curved such that the plurality of glass roof
panels defines a curved glass roof surface.
17. The glass roof of claim 14, wherein the purlin comprises a pair
of purlin beams spaced apart from each other, each purlin beam
spanning the length of the purlin.
18. The glass roof of claim 17, further comprising a strut disposed
between the purlin beams and coupled thereto.
19. The glass roof of claim 18, wherein the strut defines an
opening therethrough, the opening being positioned between the
purlin beams and configured to receive utilities.
20. The glass roof of claim 14, further comprising a lighting
element disposed between the purlin beams.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/406,395, filed Oct. 25, 2010, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a support structure for a
building. More particularly, the present invention relates to a
roof and associated support structure, where the support structure
can accommodate utilities so as to hide them from view.
[0004] 2. Brief Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention provides a support structure for
supporting a glass structure, the support structure including a top
truss chord extending in a first direction and including end
portions, a bottom truss chord including end portions, wherein the
end portions of the bottom truss chord are coupled to the end
portions of the top truss chord, a strut including an upper portion
and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion of the strut is
coupled to the top truss chord and wherein the lower portion of the
strut is coupled to the bottom truss chord, a purlin extending in a
second direction, wherein the purlin is coupled to the upper
portion of the strut, and a support coupled to the purlin and
configured to support at least a portion of at least one glass
panel.
[0006] The present invention also provides a purlin, including a
pair of purlin beams positioned apart from each other so as to
define a space therebetween, a cover plate extending between the
purlin beams at a lower portion thereof, and utilities extending
within the space, disposed above the cover plate.
[0007] The present invention also provides an architectural
structure, including a top truss chord extending in a first
direction and including end portions, a bottom truss chord
including end portions, wherein the end portions of the bottom
truss chord are coupled to the end portions of the top truss chord,
a strut including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the
upper portion of the strut is coupled to the top truss chord and
wherein the lower portion of the strut is coupled to the bottom
truss chord, and wherein the strut defines an opening in the upper
portion thereof, a purlin extending in a second direction, wherein
the purlin is coupled to the upper portion of the strut, a support
coupled to the purlin and configured to support at least a portion
of at least one glass panel, and utilities extending within the
purlin and through the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein,
form part of the specification and illustrate exemplary embodiments
of the present invention. Together with the description, the
figures further serve to explain the principles of and to enable a
person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the exemplary
embodiments described herein. In the drawings, like reference
numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front view of the building of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the building of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the building of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support structure of the
building of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a truss assembly according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a portion of a support
structure including a center strut according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0016] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view along line 7B-7B of FIG.
7A.
[0017] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view along line 7C-7C of FIG.
7A.
[0018] FIG. 7D is a front view of the strut of FIG. 7A.
[0019] FIG. 7E is a side view of the strut of FIG. 7A.
[0020] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7B.
[0021] FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7C.
[0022] FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7E.
[0023] FIG. 9A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of
a purlin of the support structure of FIG. 6.
[0024] FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of a portion of a purlin of the
support structure of FIG. 6.
[0025] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view along line 10A-10A of
FIG. 9B.
[0026] FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along line 10B-10B of
FIG. 9B.
[0027] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the truss
assembly of FIG. 6.
[0028] FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the truss
assembly of FIG. 6.
[0029] FIG. 11C is a front view of a portion of the truss assembly
of FIG. 6.
[0030] FIG. 11D is a side view of a portion of the truss assembly
of FIG. 6.
[0031] FIG. 12A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a center tee
support of the truss assembly of FIG. 6.
[0032] FIG. 12B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the first
tee support to the right of the center tee support of the truss
assembly of FIG. 6.
[0033] FIG. 12C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second
tee support to the right of the center tee support of the truss
assembly of FIG. 6.
[0034] FIG. 12D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the third
tee support to the right of the center tee support of the truss
assembly of FIG. 6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying figures that illustrate exemplary embodiments. Other
embodiments are possible. Modifications can be made to the
exemplary embodiments described herein without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following
detailed description is not intended to be limiting. The operation
and behavior of the exemplary embodiments presented are described
with the understanding that modifications and variations of the
embodiments may be within the scope of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a building 100 according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front
view of building 100. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of building 100
partially showing the interior of building 100. FIG. 4 is a top
view of building 100. Building 100 can be constructed of panels,
such as, for example, roof panels 114, which can be included in a
roof 110, side wall panels 104, and walls 140. Such panels 114 and
104 can be formed of glass in order to establish a glass look and
feel of building 100. Side wall panels 104 can be attached to one
another and supported by attachment features such as, for example,
metal fittings 102 intermittently positioned along adjacent panels
104 (see FIG. 1). Likewise, roof panels can be attached to one
another and supported by attachment features such as, for example,
roof patch fittings 112 (see FIG. 6). As would be appreciated by
one of skill in the art, various other suitable mounting techniques
or hardware may be used for joining panels 114 together and panels
104 together. In some embodiments, roof 110 can be a curved glass
roof. Such a curved glass roof 110 can be defined by adjacent roof
panels 114 where roof panels 114 are themselves curved. Curved
glass roof 110 can be supported from within building 100 by a truss
system such as, for example, support structure 120 (see FIG. 5).
Support structure 120 can include truss assemblies 200 that conform
to the curvature of curved glass roof 110 in order to provide
consistent support to roof panels 114 throughout the span of curved
glass roof 110.
[0037] In FIG. 3, truss assembly 200 for supporting glass roof 110
is shown spanning the entire width of building 100, and is
supported at ends thereof by wall supports 130. Truss assembly 200
can be coupled to wall supports 130 by any suitable means as would
be appreciated by one of skill in the art. As would be appreciated
by one of skill in the art, however, truss assembly 200 need not
span the entire width of a building or structure in which it is
used. In building 100, for example, cooperating truss assemblies
200 could each span half the width of building 100, and could meet
and be supported in the middle of the width of building 100 at, for
example, an additional wall support 130, other support post, or the
like. Similarly, more than two truss assemblies may be used in a
building or structure as desired or required.
[0038] Support structure 120 can also include purlins 300 (see FIG.
4) that act in cooperation with truss assemblies 200 to support
glass roof 110. Purlins 300 are structural elements that extend in
a longitudinal direction L and are supported by truss assemblies
200 that extend in a transverse direction T (see FIG. 5). In order
to help maintain the glass look and feel of building 100, building
utilities can be routed through support structure 120, hiding them
from view and thereby preventing them from interrupting or
interfering with the glass look and feel of building 100. To
accomplish this, utilities can be routed within purlins 300.
Positioning of building utilities in this regard will be discussed
below in greater detail. As would be appreciated by one of skill in
the art, building 100 is not limited to the building depicted in
the figures, but may be any suitable architectural structure.
[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a support structure 120 for
supporting glass roof 110 according to an embodiment of the
invention. To aid in visualizing the invention, purlins 300 appear
transparent in FIG. 5, however purlins 300 are not necessarily
transparent. FIG. 5 depicts two truss assemblies 200 and seven
purlins 300, however, support structure 120 can include more or
fewer truss assemblies 200 or more or fewer purlins 300. Truss
assemblies 200 can be spaced apart by any suitable distance as
would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, for example, by 7
feet, 6 inches.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a plan view of a truss assembly 200 according to
an embodiment of the invention. Truss assembly 200 includes a top
truss chord 210 and a bottom truss chord 220. Ends of top truss
chord 210 meet with ends of bottom truss chord 220. Each strut 230
is, at one end thereof, connected to bottom truss chord 220, and is
also connected to top truss chord 210. Thus, struts 230 span an
area defined by top truss chord 210 and bottom truss chord 220.
Struts 230 extend beyond top truss chord 210 to connect to purlins
300 to assist in supporting glass roof 110. Struts 230 can connect
to purlins 300 by any suitable technique as would be apparent to
one of skill in the art, such as, for example, screws, bolts, nuts,
rivets, welds, glue, or solvent. Alternatively, no direct
connection mechanism may be provided, in which case struts 230 and
purlins 300 maintain relative positions by other means, such as,
for example, by virtue of other indirect connection mechanisms, or
by virtue of incident forces, such as, for example, forces due to
gravity.
[0041] As one of skill in the art would appreciate, struts 230 can
be of various lengths to suit a particular application. Struts 230
can, as depicted in FIG. 6, be of increasing length as struts 230
approach the center of truss assembly 200. In other words, struts
230 nearest the center of truss assembly 200 may be the longest
struts 230 of truss assembly 200, and, moving from the center
towards the ends of truss assembly 200, each strut 230 may be
shorter than the previous strut 230. Struts 230 can be evenly
spaced in the transverse direction. For example, centerlines of
adjacent struts 230 may be separated by a distance of 7 feet, 6
inches. Struts 230 can be of any suitable diameter as would be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, such as, for example, 2 and
1/2 inches. Moreover, struts 230 can be formed of any suitable
material as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such
as, for example, stainless steel.
[0042] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a portion of support
structure 120 for supporting glass roof 110 that includes a center
strut 230 according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is a
cross-sectional view of the center strut 230. FIG. 7C is a
cross-sectional view of the center strut 230. FIG. 7D is a front
view of the center strut 230. FIG. 7E is a side view of the center
strut 230. As is apparent from at least FIGS. 6 and 7A, each top
truss chord 210 can be formed of a pair of continuous top truss
beams 212, each top truss beam 212 spanning the length of top truss
chord 210. Each pair of top truss beams 212 can be spaced apart by
a distance sufficient to accommodate struts 230, for example, by 3
inches. Top truss beams 212 may be formed of any suitable material
as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such as, for
example, stainless steel. Struts 230 can be fastened between the
top truss beams 212 using connections 234. Connections 234 can
include, for example, screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds, glue, or
solvent. Top truss beams 212 may have a width of, for example, 1
foot, 3 inches, and a thickness of, for example, 1 inch.
Connections 234 may include a lower connection 234 and an upper
connection 234. The lower connection 234 may be centered 4 and 1/4
inches from the bottom of top truss chord 210, for example. The
upper connection 234 may be centered 4 and 1/4 inches from the top
of top truss chord 210, for example.
[0043] Top truss chord 210 curves downward, corresponding to the
curve of curved glass roof 110, and bottom truss chord 220 curves
upward. Top truss chord 210 and bottom truss chord 220 are spaced
apart by struts 230. Top truss chord 210 may exhibit a curvature
having a radius of 165 feet at its bottom, and 167 feet, 10 inches
at its top. The radius of a line connecting lower connections 234
along top truss chord 210 may be, for example, 165 feet, 4 and 1/4
inches. The radius of a line connecting upper connections 234 along
top truss chord 210 may be, for example, 165 feet, 10 and 3/4
inches.
[0044] Bottom truss chords 220 can be formed of a pair of rods 222,
each spanning approximately half the length of the bottom truss
chord 220, and meeting at the center of bottom truss chord 220.
Rods 222 can be of any suitable diameter as would be appreciated by
one of skill in the art, such as, for example, 2 and 1/2 inches,
and can be formed of any suitable material as would be appreciated
by one of skill in the art, such as, for example, stainless steel.
Rods 222 can connect to struts 230 by extending through holes at
the ends of struts 23G. In the case of a center strut 230, as shown
in FIG. 7B, rods 222 can connect to center strut 230 via a coupler
224, which also can connect adjacent ends of the pair of rods 222
of a bottom truss chord 220. Coupler 224 can be formed of any
suitable material as would be appreciated by one of skill in the
art, such as, for example, stainless steel. As one of skill in the
art would appreciate, bottom truss chords 220 can be formed of more
or fewer rods 222, which can connect to struts 230 by any of the
techniques noted above, other techniques that would be apparent to
one of skill in the art, or any combination thereof.
[0045] Purlins 300 can be positioned above top truss chords 210 and
can be aligned approximately perpendicularly to truss assemblies
200, and assist in supporting glass roof 110. Purlins 300 need not
necessarily be aligned perpendicularly to truss assemblies 200,
however. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, purlins 300
can be aligned with truss assemblies at a variety of angles to suit
a particular application.
[0046] Purlins 300 can extend longitudinally between pairs of truss
assemblies 200. Adjacent purlins 300 can meet at a purlin joint
310, which may coincide with the longitudinal center of a truss
assembly 200. Alternatively, purlins 300 may extend continuously
through one or more truss assemblies 200. Each purlin 300 can be
formed of a pair of purlin beams 302 spaced apart by a distance at
least sufficient to accommodate struts 230, for example, by 3
inches.
[0047] Purlin beams 302 may be formed of any suitable material as
would be apparent to one of skill in the art, including, for
example, stainless steel. Purlin beams 302 may have a height of,
for example, 1 foot, 3 inches, and a thickness of, for example, 3/4
inches. Utilities 500, which can include, for example, fire
sprinkler pipe 502 and electrical conduit 504, can be positioned
between purlin beams 302 of a purlin 300. Such positioning of
utilities 500 within purlins 300 can provide a variety of benefits,
including hiding utilities 500 from view, thereby increasing the
aesthetic appeal of support structure 120 and glass roof 110 while
maintaining the functionality that utilities 500 may provide.
[0048] FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7B. FIG. 8B
is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 7C. FIG. 8C is an enlarged
view of a portion of FIG. 7E. In order to avoid interference of
utilities 500 with struts 230 between paired purlin beams 302 of a
purlin 300, struts 230 can define openings 232 through which
utilities 500 can pass. Openings 232 can be variously sized and
shaped in order to accommodate various sizes and shapes of utility
components, as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art.
Openings 232 are depicted as rectangular with rounded corners,
however, openings 232 need not define a closed shape; openings 232
can extend to an outer edge of a strut 230. For example, opening
230 shown in FIG. 8A can be extended in an upwards direction to
define a U-shaped cavity opening at the top of strut 230, or
extended in a right-side direction to define a C-shaped opening
along a side of strut 230.
[0049] Struts 230 can be formed of two parts, upper part 230A and
lower part 230B. Upper part 230A can be connected to lower part
230B via the same connection 234 that connects strut 230 to the
support beams of purlin 300. Alternatively, upper part 230A can be
connected to lower part 230B via a connection different from
connection 234. Upper part 230A and lower part 230B can be
connected at a joint, and can be fixed in place via connections
234. Alternatively, struts 230 can be formed of a single part, or
of more than two parts, and parts of struts 230 can be connected
via a variety of connection techniques, as would be appreciated by
one of skill in the art, for example, screws, bolts, nuts, rivets,
welds, glue, or solvent.
[0050] Supports 430 can be positioned at the top of purlins 300,
and can span the distance between paired purlin beams 302 of
purlins 300. Supports 430 can be coupled to purlins 300 by any
suitable technique that would be apparent to one of skill in the
art, including, for example, screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds,
glue, or solvent. Alternatively, supports 430 can be integral with
purlins 300. Supports 430 can be positioned at intervals in the
longitudinal direction along purlins 300. Supports 430 can be
located at positions over truss assemblies 200, and at positions
between truss assemblies 200 (see FIGS. 9A and 9B). Support posts
420 can be coupled at one end portion thereof to supports 430, and
can be coupled at the other end portion thereof to tee supports
410. Support posts 420 can be formed of any suitable material as
would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such as, for
example, stainless steel, and can be coupled to supports 430 and
tee supports 410 by any suitable technique that would be apparent
to one of skill in the art, including, for example, screws, bolts,
nuts, rivets, welds, glue, or solvent. Alternatively, support posts
420 can be integral with either or both of supports 430 and tee
supports 410. Tee supports 410 can support glass roof 110 and can
extend between adjacent roof panels 114, which may exhibit a curved
shape similar to that of top truss chord 210. For example, roof
panels 114 may exhibit a curve in the transverse direction having a
radius of 167 feet, 10 inches. Tee supports 410 may correspond to
roof patch fittings 112, which can be positioned on top of roof
panels 114 so as to overlap portions of adjacent roof panels 114.
Tee supports 410 can be positioned above purlins 300 by a distance
sufficient to accommodate fire sprinklers, for example, by
approximately 2 and 5/8 inches. Tee supports 410 can interface with
roof panels 114 and roof patch fittings 112 by any suitable
technique that would be apparent to one of skill in the art,
including, for example, screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds, glue,
or solvent. Tee supports 410 can be formed of any suitable material
as would be appreciated by one of skill in the art, such as, for
example, stainless steel. Tee supports 410 may have a thickness of,
for example, 1/2 inch, and may have a transverse width of 4 and 1/2
inches.
[0051] FIG. 9A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of
purlin 300 of support structure 120. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of
a portion of a purlin 300 of support structure 120. FIG. 10A is a
cross-sectional view of a portion of purlin 300 coinciding with a
position of a fire sprinkler 506. FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional
view of a portion of purlin 300 coinciding with a position of a
support post 420. Fire sprinkler pipe 502 may include fire
sprinklers 506 intermittently along its length in the longitudinal
direction. Fire sprinklers 506 can be of any suitable type as would
be recognized by one of skill in the art, such as, for example,
upright pendant sprinklers. Fire sprinklers 506 can be spaced so as
to be positioned between adjacent supports 430.
[0052] Electrical conduit 504 can be used to provide electricity to
various components throughout a building or other structure of
which support structure 120 is a part. For example, electrical
conduit 504, positioned within purlins 300, can be used to provide
electricity to light fixtures 508, which can be positioned
intermittently along a purlin 300 in the longitudinal direction.
Light fixtures 508 can be attached to purlins 300 by any suitable
technique that would be apparent to by one of skill in the art,
including, for example, by a lighting track 340. Lighting track 340
can extend longitudinally within a purlin 300, occupying space
between paired purlin beams 302 of a purlin 300. The bottom of
lighting track 340 may align with the bottom of purlins 300.
Lighting track 340 can be coupled to a cover plate 330 that extends
between and is coupled to paired purlin beams 302 of a purlin
300.
[0053] Cover plates 330 can be positioned at a lower portion of
purlin beams 302, for example, approximately 1 and 3/4 inches from
the bottom of purlin beams 302, and can serve to help maintain
spacing of pairs of purlin beams 302, and to cover the area between
paired purlin beams 302 from view from below. Cover plates 330 can
be coupled to purlin beams 302 by any suitable technique as would
be apparent to one of skill in the art, such as, for example,
screws, bolts, nuts, rivets, welds, glue, or solvent.
Alternatively, cover plates 330 can be integral with purlin beams
302. Cover plates 330 can extend longitudinally between adjacent
truss assemblies 200. Cover plates 330 may be spaced from struts
230 of truss assemblies 200 by, for example, 1/4 inch.
[0054] Lighting track 340 can be coupled to cover plate 330 by any
suitable technique that would be apparent to one of skill in the
art, including, for example, via an attachment clip 342. Cover
plate 330 can be coupled to purlin beams 302 by any suitable
technique that would be apparent to one of skill in the art,
including, for example, via angles 332. Cover plate 330 can be of
any suitable thickness as would be appreciated by one of skill in
the art, such as, for example, 1/4 inches. Lighting track can be
formed of longitudinal segments positioned between truss assemblies
200.
[0055] FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of truss
assembly 200, focusing on a non-center strut 230. FIG. 11B is a
cross-sectional view of a portion of truss assembly 200, focusing
on the non-center strut 230 shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11C is a view
of a portion of truss assembly 200, focusing on the non-center
strut 230 shown in FIG. 11A. FIG. 11D is a view of a portion of
truss assembly 200, focusing on the non-center strut 230 shown in
FIG. 11A. The non-center strut 230 is angled with respect to a
tangent of bottom truss chord 220 at the point where the non-center
strut 230 meets bottom truss chord 220. The non-center strut 230
forms an obtuse angle with this tangent on one side of the
non-center strut 230 and an acute angle with this tangent on the
other side of the non-center strut 230. Referring back to FIGS. 7A,
7B, and 7D, in contrast, the center strut 230 forms an
approximately perpendicular angle with a tangent of the bottom
truss chord 220 at the point where the center strut 230 meets
bottom truss chord 220.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, on one side of truss assembly 200, for
example, an angle .theta.A may be 88.7 degrees, an angle .theta.B
may be 91.3 degrees, an angle .theta.C may be 86.1 degrees, an
angle .theta.D may be 93.9 degrees, an angle .theta.E may be 83.5
degrees, an angle .theta.F may be 96.5 degrees, and an angle
.theta.G may be 80.45 degrees. Corresponding angles on the other
side of truss assembly 200 may be similar.
[0057] FIG. 12A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a center tee
support 410 of truss assembly 200. FIG. 12B is an enlarged
cross-sectional view of the first tee support 410 to the right of
the center tee support 410 of truss assembly 200. FIG. 12C is an
enlarged cross-sectional view of the second tee support 410 to the
right of the center tee support 410 of truss assembly 200. FIG. 12D
is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the third tee support 410 to
the right of the center tee support 410 of truss assembly 200. As
is evident considering these figures together, the angle with
respect to vertical at which tee supports 410 extend between roof
panels 114 increases as tee supports 410 are positioned farther
from the center tee support 410, in order to correspond to gaps
between adjacent roof panels 114 of glass roof 110. For example,
the angle with respect to vertical at which the center tee support
410 extends between roof panels 114 may be zero degrees, the angle
with respect to vertical at which the first tee support 410 to the
right of the center tee support 410 extends between roof panels 114
may be 2.56 degrees, the angle with respect to vertical at which
the second tee support 410 to the right of the center tee support
410 extends between roof panels 114 may be 5.13 degrees, and the
angle with respect to vertical at which the third tee support 410
to the right of the center tee support 410 extends between roof
panels 114 may be 7.7 degrees. These values are exemplary only. As
one of skill in the art would appreciate, the angles with respect
to vertical at which tee supports 410 extend between roof panels
114 can vary according to the particular application.
[0058] The embodiments described above are exemplary only. As one
of skill in the art would appreciate, the present invention can be
embodied in various alternative embodiments without departing from
the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in some
embodiments utilities other than or in addition to fire sprinkler
pipes 502 and electrical conduits 504 can be accommodated by
support structure 120, such as, for example, data lines, cable
lines, phone lines, and plumbing lines.
[0059] Additionally, though the above embodiments have been
described in the context of a support structure used for a roof of
a building, the invention is not so limited. The invention also
encompasses a support structure used in various applications, such
as, for example, as a floor or a wall.
[0060] Additionally, though the above embodiments have been
described in the context of a support structure used for a
building, the invention is not so limited. The invention also
encompasses support structures used in various mobile structures,
such as, for example automobiles, airplanes, and spaceships.
Embodiments of the invention may be used in an automobile chassis,
or in an airplane cabin or wing structure, for example.
[0061] Additionally, embodiments of the invention may be used in
relatively immobile structures other than buildings, including, for
example, bridges, windmills, utility towers, and works of art.
[0062] Additionally, embodiments of the invention may be used in
atmospheres different from those of the surface of Earth,
including, for example, in subterranean structures, in stations or
structures in orbit around Earth or another celestial body, and on
the surface of another celestial body.
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