INSTANT, PRE-TENSIONED, TOOL FREE, POLYHEDRAL, ENCLOSURE CONSTRUCTION SYSTEM

• US 20080066393A1
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bradford Tyler Sorensen
• Original Assignee: Bradford Tyler Sorensen
• Inventors: Sorensen, Bradford Tyler
• Application Number:
  US11/531,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20080066393A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/81.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/101 with clip or snap mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3211 Structures with a vertical rotation axis or the like, e.g. semi-spherical structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/34315 characterised by separable parts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3276 Panel connection details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3294 with a faceted surface

Abstract

A modular construction system consisting of a plurality of multifunction connectors or multifunction hinges joining together a plurality of polyhedral panel components having edge connector engaging means resulting in a spring tensioned, automatic parabolic, self-aligning, perpendicular snap-in, parallel slide out, planar angle tolerant, rotational angle tolerant, toe-in angle tolerant, toe-out angle tolerant, easy-in/hard-out, dual reverse curl linear barb, multi-planar, centerline pivoting, centerline friction, dual edge sealing, pre-stressed assembly creating groups of connected polyhedron modules forming a virtually unlimited variety of domes, arches, spheres, cylinders, cubes, trusses, walls, roofs, hinges, doors, windows, columns, beams, bridges, frames, vaults, fixtures, enclosures, shelters, partitions, toys, covers, sculptures, containers, stairs or other polyhedral structures, by hand, without the use of tools using only seconds of construction time per module. When the first built structure becomes obsolete, the components can be disassembled by hand, without the use of tools, and then reassembled to create other structures at will.

Claims

1. A polygon structural building system consisting of a plurality of linear barb connectors and linear barb hinges joining together a plurality of polyhedral panel components having linear barb edge connector engaging means allowing groups of polyhedrons to be joined forming a virtually unlimited variety of geodesic and multi-polyhedral structures;

(a) said connectors having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow perpendicular snap-in/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with connectors by hand without the use of tools;

(b) said hinges having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow perpendicular snap-in/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with hinges by hand without the use of tools;

(c) said polyhedral panel components having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow perpendicular snap-in/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with connectors or hinges by hand without the use of tools.

2. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector includes a spring tensioned, oblique angle, connection between polyhedral panels utilizing a molded or extruded elastimeric material which would provide a controlled connector elasticity between polyhedral panels which would create the spring loaded variation in angle of adjacent polyhedrons necessary to form a wide variety of parabolic radius dimensions of geodesic domes, arches, spheres, cylinders, ovals or other faceted or radiused polyhedral structures, enclosures or objects.

3. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector system includes a spring tensioned, elastimeric polyhedron connector to provide an automatic parabolic dome forming connector option wherein the connector is provided with a pair of opposite polyhedral edge engaging means which are formed at an angle other than flat which place two adjacent polyhedrons into a peak or an oblique angle in relationship to each other causing spring tensioned angles to form at the apexes of the intersections of multiple groups of polyhedrons to automatically form the overall shape of the groups of polyhedrons into a convex or dome like shape causing the spring tension angles of these oblique connection angles between polyhedrons to cooperate with one another to spring into a more parabolic, more spherical structure which adds more structural strength to the exterior surface of the assembly to improve wind resistance and snow load performance in a shelter application.

4. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge connector system includes an automatic, self aligning function wherein the connectors are provided with elastimeric, self centering means with which to automatically align the edges of the polyhedron components with the ideal connector location in order to make the construction of the connectors with the polyhedral elements simple, convenient and relatively effortless.

5. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the polyhedral panels are provided with connector engagement means in the form of a linear edge barbs with which to engage the spring tensioned elastimeric polyhedron connector or hinge in a manner which allows the edge of the polyhedron to be forced into the multifunction slot of the connector or hinge in a perpendicular snap-in fashion, which once engaged, into the slot of the connector or hinge, the linear barb edge would be difficult, if not impossible, with reasonable force, to pull out the same way as it went in causing a positive lock that can be disassembled by utilizing a parallel slide-out method.

6. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge connector system includes an automatic angle variation tolerance and angle averaging elastimeric connection between structural polygons consisting of a dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barb system which functions by allowing the linear barb means on the edge of the polyhedrons to slide perpendicularly into the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barbs on the connector or hinge which spread open the multifunction slots on the connector allowing the edge of the polyhedron to enter and become trapped inside the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barbs which automatically unfold spring tension dual sealing edges against the linear barb engagement means on the polyhedron panel edges forming a spring loaded connection that automatically averages the variations in angles of adjacent polyhedrons forming building system components.

7. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge connector system consists of an easy-in/hard-out/slide-out method of polyhedron assembly, retention and disassembly respectively, wherein, when the edge of a polyhedron with linear barb engaging means is pressed into the spring tensioned, elastimeric polyhedron connector, the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barb system spreads open along the inclined plane wedge features of the polyhedron linear barb engaging means allowing the polyhedron barbs to enter the elastimeric spring tension trap, wherein, the dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barbs snap closed behind the polyhedron barbs locking the connector and polyhedron together, wherein, the harder the pull on the polyhedron, the tighter the dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barbs engage the connection, wherein, the connection is very strong in a perpendicular direction for structural strength, wherein, the connection is very weak in a parallel direction allowing the easy disassembly of components for knock down, transport and compact storage.

8. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein two or more polyhedrons share a single connector wherein this multi planar system of connectors allows for the construction of truss braces and multiple layer composite structures or containers or conduits within the overall structure of a building construction.

9. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge connectors consist of a spring tensioned, elastimeric polyhedron connector and provides connector midpoint pivoting and friction points which are coincident with the centerline of the edge of each polyhedron engaged in the connector, wherein, by providing pivot and friction points coincident in the centerlines of both the connectors and the polyhedrons, the polyhedron angle variations may be divided exactly in half resulting in the highest geometric dimensional accuracy in domes involving hundreds of components, wherein, placing the pivot and friction points on the centerline of the connector, the polyhedron edges are substantially centerline fixed, locked and controlled while the polyhedron edge ends are allowed to move within a spring tensioned angle tolerance and averaging system that uses each polyhedron'"'"'s position to effect the location and spring tension of adjacent polyhedrons automatically.

10. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge system is comprised of a dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barb system which provides a dual edge sealing function between the connectors and the polyhedrons to provide a weather seal and a trapped air insulation function between the inner and outer seal, wherein, if the structure is to be semi-permanent and rain protection is important, wherein the connectors may be pre filled with a silicone weather sealing caulking material before assembly of the polyhedrons, wherein, the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastimeric barb system is an ideal container for the caulk sealant because the pressure of insertion of the polyhedron into the connector would cause backpressure to form on the linear barb edge engagement system which would cause an excellent seal as soon as the caulk sealant solidified in the gap between the connector and the polyhedron, wherein, additional sealant material applied at the corner intersections of the polyhedrons and connectors would provide a completely waterproof enclosure shelter.

11. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge system are securely attached to the ground or to other structures with anchors, bolts, foundations, stakes, pins, or other connections provide a secure enclosure, shelter or structure or to enlarge and enclose additional cubic space within a structure to provide wind, rain and other element protection.

12. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the polyhedral panels are multi-walled or inflated polyhedral panel sections made up of transparent, translucent or opaque material with linear barb edge means for engaging multifunction, elastimeric or plastic, snap-in/slide-out, connectors which result in an insulated sealed enclosure.

13. The polygon connector building system of claim 1 wherein the connector and hinge connectors are provided with a hollow linear tube or conduit for the enclosure of wiring, plumbing, cables, struts, beams, pins, bolts, insulation, arched rods, lighting, bulbs, I-beams, fiber optics, data lines, communications lines, sound insulation, partial vacuum, electrical conduit, neon lighting tubes, florescent lighting tubes or other items to be enclosed.

14. A polygon structural building system consisting of a plurality of connectors and hinges joining together a plurality of polyhedral panel components having edge connector engaging means allowing groups of polyhedrons to be joined forming a virtually unlimited variety of multi-polyhedral structures;

(a) said connectors having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with parallel slide-in connectors by hand without the use of tools;

(b) Said hinges having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow parallel slide-in/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with hinges by hand without the use of tools;

(c) Said polyhedral panel components having polygon edge connector engaging means to allow parallel slide-in/parallel slide-out, assembly and disassembly functions respectively allowing the polyhedral panels to be assembled or disassembled with connectors or hinges by hand without the use of tools.

15. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector includes a spring tensioned oblique angle connection between polyhedral panels utilizing a molded or extruded elastomeric material which would provide a controlled connector elasticity between polyhedral panels which would provide for the spring loaded variation in angle of adjacent polyhedrons necessary to form a wide variety of parabolic radius dimensions of geodesic domes, arches, spheres, cylinders, ovals or other faceted or radiused polyhedral structures, enclosures or objects.

16. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector system includes a spring tensioned, elastomeric polyhedron connector to provide an automatic parabolic dome forming connector option wherein the connector is provided with a pair of opposite polyhedral edge engaging means which are formed at an angle other than flat which place two adjacent polyhedrons into a peak or an oblique angle in relationship to each other causing spring tensioned angles to form at the apexes of the intersections of multiple groups of polyhedrons to automatically form the overall shape of the groups of polyhedrons into a convex or dome like shape, wherein, the spring tension angles of these oblique connection angles between polyhedrons causes the faceted polyhedrons to cooperate with one another to spring into a more parabolic, more spherical structure which adds more structural strength to the exterior surface to improve wind resistance and snow load performance.

17. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector system includes a spring tensioned, elastomeric polyhedron connector to provide an automatic parabolic dome forming connector option wherein the connector is provided with a pair of opposite polyhedral edge engaging means which are formed at an angle other than flat which place two adjacent polyhedrons into a peak or an oblique angle in relationship to each other causing spring tensioned angles to form at the apexes of the intersections of multiple groups of polyhedrons to automatically form the overall shape of the groups of polyhedrons into a convex or dome like shape causing the spring tension angles of these oblique connection angles between polyhedrons to cooperate with one another to spring into a more parabolic, more spherical structure which adds more structural strength to the exterior surface of the assembly to improve wind resistance and snow load performance in a shelter application.

18. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge connector system includes an automatic, self aligning function wherein the connectors are provided with elastomeric, self centering means with which to automatically align the edges of the polyhedron components with the ideal connector location in order to make the construction of the connectors with the polyhedral elements simple, convenient and relatively effortless.

19. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the polyhedral panels are provided with connector engagement means in the form of a linear edge barbs with which to engage the spring tensioned elastomeric polyhedron connector or hinge in a manner which allows the edge of the polyhedron to be slid into the multifunction slot of the connector or hinge in a parallel slide-in fashion, which once engaged, into the multifunction slot of the connector or hinge, the linear barb edge would be difficult, if not impossible, with reasonable force, to pull out perpendicularly causing a positive lock. This positive lock is disassembled by utilizing a parallel slide-out method.

20. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge connector system includes an automatic angle variation tolerance and angle averaging elastomeric connection between structural polygons consisting of a dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barb system which functions by allowing the linear barb means on the edge of the polyhedrons to slide in a parallel manner into the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barbs on the connector or hinge which become trapped inside the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barbs which automatically unfold spring tension dual sealing edges against the linear barb engagement means on the polyhedron panel edges forming a spring loaded connection that automatically averages the variations in angles of adjacent polyhedrons forming building system components.

21. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge connector system consists of an easy-parallel-slide-in/hard-perpendicular-out/easy-parallel-slide-out method of polyhedron assembly, retention and disassembly respectively. When the edge of a polyhedron with linear barb engaging means is slid into the spring tensioned, elastomeric polyhedron connector, the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barb system allows the polyhedron barbs to enter the elastomeric spring tension trap, wherein, once inside the trap, the dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barbs trap the polyhedron barbs locking the connector and polyhedron together, wherein, the harder the pull on the polyhedron, the tighter the dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barbs engage the connection, wherein, this connection is very strong in a perpendicular direction for structural strength, wherein, this connection is very weak in a parallel direction allowing the easy disassembly of components for knock down transport and compact storage.

22. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein two or more polyhedrons share a single connector wherein this multi planar system of connectors allows for the construction of truss braces and multiple layer composite structures or containers or conduits within the overall structure of a building construction.

23. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge connectors consist of a spring tensioned, elastomeric polyhedron connector and provides connector midpoint pivoting and friction points which are coincident with the centerline of the edge of each polyhedron engaged in the connector, wherein, by providing pivot and friction points coincident in the centerlines of both the connectors and the polyhedrons, the polyhedron angle variations may be divided exactly in half resulting in the highest geometric dimensional accuracy in domes involving hundreds of components, wherein, by placing the pivot and friction points on the centerline of the connector, the polyhedron edges are substantially centerline fixed, locked and controlled while the polyhedron edge ends are allowed to move within a spring tensioned angle tolerance and averaging system that uses each polyhedron'"'"'s position to effect the location and spring tension of adjacent polyhedrons automatically.

24. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge system is comprised of a dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barb system which provides a dual edge sealing function between the connectors and the polyhedrons to provide a weather seal and a trapped air insulation function between the inner and outer seal, wherein, if the structure is to be semi-permanent and rain protection is important, the connectors may be pre filled with a silicone weather sealing caulking material before assembly of the polyhedrons, wherein, the dual conical, dual reverse curl, linear elastomeric barb system is an ideal container for the caulk sealant which would cause an excellent seal as soon as the caulk sealant solidified in the gap between the connector and the polyhedron, wherein, additional sealant material applied at the corner intersections of the polyhedrons and connectors would provide a completely waterproof enclosure shelter.

25. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the connector and hinge system are securely attached to the ground or to other structures with anchors, bolts, foundations, stakes, pins, or other connections provide a secure enclosure, shelter or structure or to enlarge and enclose additional cubic space within a structure to provide wind, rain and other element protection.

26. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the polyhedral panels are multi-walled or inflated polyhedral panel sections made up of transparent, translucent or opaque material with linear barb edge means for engaging multifunction, elastomeric or plastic, slide-in/slide-out, connectors which result in an insulated sealed enclosure.

27. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the multifunction connector and hinge connectors are provided with a hollow linear tube or conduit for the enclosure of wiring, plumbing, cables, struts, beams, pins, bolts, insulation, arched rods, lighting, bulbs, I-beams, fiber optics, data lines, communications lines, sound insulation, partial vacuum, electrical conduit, neon lighting tubes, florescent lighting tubes or other items to be enclosed.

28. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein the construction system can be assembled and disassembled using a parallel slide-in/parallel slide-out method which does not rely on the elastomeric flexibility of the connector to allow entry into the multifunction slot, wherein, with the parallel slide-in/parallel slide-out method of assembly and disassembly, the connector can be formed of stiffer or extremely stiff material for greater strength load bearing connections made of metals, composites, woods, glass, concrete, stone, acrylic or other stiff material.

29. The polygon connector building system of claim 14 wherein each end of the connector or hinge is provided with a tapered or conical and or overlapping or interlocking or snap fit or sealed intersection tip, wherein, these intersection tips are shaped to intersect or overlap or connect or interlock or seal with other intersection tips in order to provide a watertight or airtight or ventilated or perforated or semi-permeable or permeable onion-permeable or flexible or rigid or bearing intersection.

30. A polygon structural building system consisting of a plurality of connectors and hinges joining together a plurality of polyhedral panels having edge connector engaging means allowing groups of polyhedrons to be joined by hand, without the use of tools, resulting in edge sealed enclosures, forming a virtually unlimited variety of geodesic and multi-polyhedral structures.