0.5" Vertical Tube Flange

To facilitate the attachment of mounting plates to the ends of the truss, a Vertical Tube Flange connector can be utilized. To use properly, a carbon fiber tube is bonded into the tube receptacle end of the connector. The opposite surface then provides an ideal means to bond on mounting plates. These connectors could also be used to connect a truss structures to a floor or support foundation. In all cases, care must be taken to ensure proper loading of the mounting plates so that the adhesive is never subjected to high peel stresses, which could cause the bond to fail. For example, the tube end connectors are most likely not suitable for attaching a truss to a vertical wall in a cantilever configuration. They are more suited for lightweight mounting plates, for example on robotic end effectors.

Patent# 8,397,463