Importance

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Abstract

An erectable structure truss attachment joint includes a first truss having a casing containing a piston between a flange on the end of the casing and a wedge threadably mounted on an adjustment screw inside the casing. A tension rod passing through the wedge and the piston has a knob extending out of the casing on one end and an end bolt holding a leaf spring against the wedge on the other. A helical spring inside the casing creates pressure between the piston and the tension rod. A second truss has a notched retention wall at one end forming a chamber. The knob of the tension rod is inserted into the chamber to attach the two trusses. When the adjustment screw is tightened, the wedge acts against angled faces of the leaf spring on one side and the piston on the other side to create pressure against the piston and the leaf spring. The leaf spring exerts pressure against the end bolt to pull the tension rod into the interior of the casing. The piston and the knob therefore exert compressive pressure against opposite sides of the retention wall to hold the knob inside the chamber and thereby join the two trusses. The joint may be tightened by an external tool or by a double-action actuator attached to the wall of the casing.

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First Claim