Non-periodic and periodic layered space frames having prismatic nodes

• US 5,007,220 A
• Filed: 12/02/1988
• Issued: 04/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Haresh Lalvani
• Original Assignee: Haresh Lalvani
• Inventors: Lalvani, Haresh
• Primary Examiner(s): Raduazo, Henry E.
• Application Number:
  US07/282,991
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 52/648, 52/236.1, 52/79.4, 52/280, 52/281, 52/DIG. 10, 52/311, 403/171, 403/172, 403/174, 403/176, 403/178
• US Class Current: 52/653.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/0697 of polygonal shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0669 Tesselation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/10 Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 3/123 Mosaic constructs
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 2201/06 Sets of paving elements
• CPC Class Codes: E01C 5/00 Pavings made of prefabricated single units specially adapted for playgrounds or sports grounds E01C13/04, for footpaths, sidewalks or cycle tracks E01C15/00; making artificial stones C04B; building stones E04C; flooring E04F
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1906 with central spherical, semispherical or polyhedral connecting element
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/32 Arched structures; Vaulted structures; Folded structures E04B1/345 takes precedence; vaulted roofs E04B7/08
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1918 with connecting nodes having flat radial connecting surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1927 of essentially circular cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1933 of polygonal, e.g. square, cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1966 Formlocking connections other than screw connections
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1978 Frameworks assembled from preformed subframes, e.g. pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1981 characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3223 Theorical polygonal geometry therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3247 Nodes
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3294 with a faceted surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/60 Planning or developing urban green infrastructure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/10 Polyhedron
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/342 : Polyhedral
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/345 : Coplanar

Abstract

A family of space frames formed from one or more parallel, planar layers, with each layer comprising a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a spaced, non-periodic or periodic, planar array and a plurality of struts coupling adjacent nodes together. Each node has top and bottom surfaces of the same configuration and p side surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces or any suitable shape derived from this configuration. P is any odd number greater than three or any even number greater than four. Adjacent layers are coupled via interconnecting struts that are perpendicular to each layer or tilted relative to each layer. Successive layers are the same or different. The space frames can also define, locate, and map out tiled surfaces or block-filled volumes.

Claims

1. A space frame, the combination comprising:

a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a first spaced, non-periodic, planar array, each of said prismatic nodes having a substantially continuous outer surface comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, each being identical regular polygons with p-sides, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces, and each opposite edge of each of said side surfaces being coupled to a respective opposite edge of an adjoining side surface;

a plurality of struts of substantially equal length located in the same plane as said planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends; and

means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes to form at least one set of identical polygonal areas bounded by said struts and nodes, thereby forming a continuous space frame having a pattern defined by said polygonal areas that does not repeat and does not have translational symmetry,

wherein the angle between any given pair of struts connected to the same prismatic node is determined by the angle between the respective p-side surfaces to which the struts are coupled, and

wherein p is selected from the group consisting of the odd numbers greater than three and the even numbers greater than six.

2. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein each of said side surfaces is rectangular.

3. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein each of said side surfaces is square.

4. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein each of said struts are substantially straight.

5. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein p equals five.

6. A space frame according to claim 1 wherein p equals 14.

7. A space frame according to claim 1 and further comprising:

at least a second plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in at least a second spaced, planar array, each of said second plurality of prismatic nodes having a continuous outer surface comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces in said second array being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces in each of said prismatic nodes in said second array, and each opposite edge of each of said side surfaces in said second array being coupled to a respective opposite edge of an adjoining side surface,

at least a second plurality of struts located in the same plane as said second planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends,

at least second means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes in said second planar array, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes in said second planar array,

a plurality of interconnecting struts extending from said first planar array to said second planar array, each of said interconnecting struts having opposite ends, and

means, coupled to each of said interconnecting struts and to each of said prismatic nodes located in each of said first and second planar arrays, for coupling the opposite ends of each interconnecting strut to a prismatic node located in each of said first and second planar arrays.

8. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein

each of said top and bottom surfaces are identical in configuration and comprise regular polygons with p-sides, and

each of said side surfaces is rectangular.

9. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein

each of said top and bottom surfaces are identical in configuration and comprise regular polygons with p-sides, and

each of said side surfaces is square.

10. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein each of said struts have substantially the same length.

11. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein each of said struts are substantially straight.

12. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein p equals five.

13. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein p equals 14.

14. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein

said interconnecting struts are each substantially perpendicular to said first and second planar arrays.

15. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein

a plurality of closed areas are bounded by said struts and said closed areas comprise convex polygons.

16. A space frame according to claim 1, wherein

a plurality of closed areas are bounded by said struts and said closed areas comprise non-convex polygons.

17. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein

each of said prismatic nodes in said first and second plurality of prismatic nodes has a center;

and

the directions of said struts relative to the center of said prismatic nodes lie on the horizontal plane mid-way through the node and include;

(a) p directions of lines joining the mid-points of p rectangular surfaces,

(b) p directions of lines joining the mid-points of p vertical edges,

(c) p directions of lines with p-fold or 2p-fold symmetry in any position between (a) and (b),

(d) the p/2 directions of lines, for an even p, to the mid-points of surfaces, edges or therebetween, or

(e) any combination of directions from (a), (b), (c) or (d).

18. A space frame according to claim 7, wherein

each of said prismatic nodes in said first and second plurality of prismatic node has a center;

and

the directions of said struts relative to the center of said prismatic nodes and the top, bottom, or both surfaces include;

(a) p directions of lines to the p vertices of the surfaces,

(b) p directions of lines to the p edges of the surfaces,

(c) directions of lines, with p-fold or 2p-fold symmetry in any position between (a) and (b),

(d) one direction to the mid-point of the surfaces,

(e) p directions of lines having p-fold or 2p-fold symmetry in any position between the mid-face and the vertex or edge of the surfaces,

(f) p/2 directions of lines, for an even p, to any in-between positions on the surfaces or their edges, or

(g) any combinations of (a)-(f).

19. A space frame, the combination comprising:

a first plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a first spaced, non-periodic, planar array, each of said prismatic nodes having a substantially continuous outer surface comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces, and each opposite edge of each of said side surfaces being coupled to a respective opposite edge of an adjoining side surface;

a first plurality of struts of substantially equal length located in the same plane as said first planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends;

means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes to form at least one set of identical polygonal areas bounded by said struts and nodes, thereby forming a continuous space frame having a pattern defined by said polygonal areas that does not repeat and does not have translational symmetry;

at least a second plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in at least a second spaced, planar array, each of said second plurality of prismatic nodes having a continuous outer surface comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces in said second array being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces in each of said prismatic nodes in said second array, and being coupled to the two side surfaces on the opposite edges thereof in said second array;

a second plurality of struts extending from said first planar array to said second planar array, each of said struts having opposite ends; and

means, coupled to each of said second plurality of struts and to each of said prismatic nodes located in each of said first and second planar arrays, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to a prismatic node located in each of said first and second planar arrays;

wherein p is selected from the group consisting of the odd numbers greater than three and the even numbers greater than six.

20. A space structure, the combination comprising:

a plurality of substantially planar, polygonal tiles, each having edges and vertices between adjacent edges,

said tiles being engaged together to fill a substantially planar space,

the location of said vertices and said edges being defined by the pattern of

a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a first spaced, planar, non-periodic array, each of said prismatic nodes having a substantially continuous outer surface comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, each being identical regular polygons with p-sides, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces, and each opposite edge of each of said side surfaces being coupled to a respective opposite edge of an adjoining side surface,

a plurality of struts of substantially equal length located in the same plane as said planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite edge, and

means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes to form at least one set of identical polygonal areas bounded by said struts and nodes, thereby forming a continuous space frame having a pattern defined by said polygonal areas that does not repeat and does not have translational symmetry, each strut defining a line extending into each adjacent prismatic node and the lines extending into each node intersecting at an intersection,

wherein the angle between any given pair of struts connected to the same prismatic node is determined by the angle between the respective p-side surfaces to which the struts are coupled,

wherein p is selected from the group consisting of the odd numbers greater than three and the even numbers greater than four, and

wherein each edge of each tile is adapted to overlie one of said lines defined by one of said struts and each vertex of each tile is adapted to be co-axial with a vertical axis passing through a respective intersection.

21. A space structure, the combination comprising:

a plurality of polyhedral blocks, each having

top and bottom surfaces and side surfaces interconnecting the top and bottom surfaces and each top, bottom and side surface having edges and vertices between intersecting edges,

said blocks being engaged together to fill a volume,

the location of said vertices and said edges being defined by the pattern of

a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a first spaced, planar, non-periodic array, each of said prismatic nodes having a substantially continuous outer surface comprising;

a top surface and a bottom surface, each being identical regular polygons with p-sides, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces, and being coupled to the two side surfaces on the opposite edges thereof,

a plurality of struts of substantially equal length located in the same plane as said planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends,

means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes to form at least one set of identical polygonal areas bounded by said struts and nodes, thereby forming a continuous space frame having a pattern defined by said polygonal areas that does not repeat and does not have translational symmetry, each strut defining a line extending into each adjacent prismatic node and the lines extending into each node intersecting at an intersection,

wherein the angle between any given pair of struts connected to the same prismatic node is determined by the angle between the respective p-side surfaces to which the struts are coupled,

at least a second plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in at least a second spaced, planar array, each of said second plurality of prismatic nodes having a continuous outer surface comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges,

each of said side surfaces in said second array being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces in each of said prismatic nodes in said second array, and being coupled to the two side surfaces on the opposite edges thereof in said second array,

at least a second plurality of struts located in the same plane as said second planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends,

at least second means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes in said second planar array, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes in the said second planar array,

each strut defining a line extending into each adjacent prismatic node and the lines extending into each node intersecting at an intersection,

wherein each edge of each top and bottom surface of each polyhedral block is adapted to overlie one of said lines defined by one of said struts, and

each vertex of each top and bottom surface of each polyhedral block is adapted to be co-axial with a vertical axis passing through a respective intersection,

a plurality of interconnecting struts extending from said first planar array to said second planar array, each of said interconnecting struts having opposite ends, and

means, coupled to each of said interconnecting struts and to each of said prismatic nodes located in each of said first and second planar arrays, for coupling the opposite ends of each interconnecting strut to a prismatic node located in each of said first and second planar arrays, each of said interconnecting struts defining a line,

wherein each edge of each side surface of each polyhedral block is adapted to overlie one of said lines defined by one of said interconnecting struts, and

wherein p is selected from the group consisting of the odd numbers greater than three and the even numbers greater than four.

22. A space frame, the combination comprising:

a plurality of prismatic nodes arranged in a first spaced, periodic, planar array, each of said prismatic nodes having a substantially continuous outer surface comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, and p-side surfaces having opposite edges.

each of said side surfaces being coupled to said top and bottom surfaces, and each opposite edge of each of said side surfaces being coupled to a respective opposite edge of an adjoining side surface;

a plurality of struts of substantially equal length located in the same plane as aid planar array of prismatic nodes, each of said struts having opposite ends; and

means, coupled to each of said struts and each of said prismatic nodes, for coupling the opposite ends of each strut to two adjacent prismatic nodes to form at least one set of identical polygonal areas bounded by said struts and nodes, thereby forming a continuous space frame having a pattern defined by said polygonal areas that repeats and has translational symmetry,

wherein p is selected from the group consisting of the odd numbers greater than three and the even numbers greater than eight.