Construction system

• US 5,611,187 A
• Filed: 04/07/1995
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Richard H. Jones
• Original Assignee: Richard H. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kent, Christopher T.
• Application Number:
  US08/418,429
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 52/81.1, 52/81.3, 52/648.1, 52/652.1, 52/653.1, 52/655.1, 52/655.2, 52/646, 52/656.9, 52/657, 52/DIG. 10, 446/122, 446/126, 135/115, 135/119, 135/93, 135/97, 403/171, 403/176, 403/217
• US Class Current: 52/646
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/1903 Connecting nodes specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/3211 Structures with a vertical rotation axis or the like, e.g. semi-spherical structures
• 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 2001/1957 Details of connections between nodes and struts
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/196 Screw connections with axis parallel to the main axis of the strut
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1981 characterised by the grid type of the outer planes of the framework
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1987 triangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/199 Details of roofs, floors or walls supported by the framework
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3247 Nodes
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3252 Covering details
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/3294 with a faceted surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 52/10 Polyhedron
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32631 Universal ball and socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32663 Outer surfaces

Abstract

A construction system for making latticework structures comprising connectors and rods. Each connector has a base portion with at least two side portions and opposing faces. A first attaching element is attached to a first side portion of the base portion. Second and third attaching elements are secured in axial alignment at spaced locations to a second side portion of the base portion. Respective connectors can be interconnected to each other by placing the first attaching element of one connector between the second and third axially aligned attaching elements of another connector and passing a rod through aligned receiving openings in each of the first, second and third attaching elements. Many of these connectors and rods may be assembled to form larger structures such as cubes, pyramids and other polyhedrons. The connectors themselves may take various shapes such as triangles, sectors and trapezoids. Several embodiments are described for retaining the rods in the connectors and for attaching a face forming structure to the resulting structures.

Claims

1. A construction system for making latticework structures comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors including a base portion, having opposing faces and at least first, second and third side portions, and a plurality of attaching elements, said plurality of attaching elements including a first attaching element mounted on the first side portion of said base portion and a second attaching element mounted on the second side portion of said base portion, said first and second attaching elements respectively including first and second receiving openings each of which has an associated longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of said first receiving opening intersecting the longitudinal axis of said second receiving opening at a predetermined angle;

a plurality of rods, each of said rods including first and second longitudinally spaced end portions, a first group of said plurality of connectors being interconnected by aligning the first receiving opening of a first connector of said first group of connectors with the second receiving opening of another connector of said first group of connectors and inserting the first end portion of a respective one of said plurality of rods within the aligned receiving openings to interconnect the first group of connectors, wherein a plurality of groups of said plurality of connectors are interconnectable, in a manner commensurate with said first group of connectors, at respective longitudinally spaced end portions of respective ones of said plurality of rods so as to collectively form an open latticework structure; and

means for retaining the first end portion of said respective one of said plurality of rods within said aligned receiving openings, wherein said means for retaining comprises an annular flange of said first attaching element that projects radially inwardly into said first receiving opening and the first end portion of said one of said plurality of rods is formed with an annular groove at a position spaced from a terminal end of said first end portion, said annular flange being receivable within said annular groove.

2. A construction system according to claim 1, wherein said first attaching element further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced and longitudinally extending slits such that said first attaching element defines a plurality of resilient, cantilevered portions, said annular flange being provided on said cantilevered portions.

3. A construction system according to claim 1, further comprising face forming means attached to respective ones of said plurality of rods at locations spaced from the first and second longitudinally spaced end portions of said respective ones of said plurality of rods.

4. A construction system according to claim 3, wherein said face forming means comprises a plurality of sleeve members which extend about said respective ones of said plurality of rods and a cover member extending between and attached to said plurality of sleeve members.

5. A construction system according to claim 4, further comprising means for releasably securing said cover member to said plurality of sleeve members.

6. A construction system for making latticework structures comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors including a base portion, having opposing faces and at least first, second and third side portions, and a plurality of attaching elements, said plurality of attaching elements including a first attaching element mounted on the first side portion of said base portion and a second attaching element mounted on the second side portion of said base portion, said first and second attaching elements respectively including first and second receiving openings each of which has an associated longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of said first receiving opening intersecting the longitudinal axis of said second receiving opening at a predetermined angle;

a plurality of rods, each of said rods including first and second longitudinally spaced end portions, a first group of said plurality of connectors being interconnected by aligning the first receiving opening of a first connector of said first group of connectors with the second receiving opening of another connector of said first group of connectors and inserting the first end portion of a respective one of said plurality of rods within the aligned receiving openings to interconnect the first group of connectors, wherein a plurality of groups of said plurality of connectors are interconnectable, in a manner commensurate with said first group of connectors, at respective longitudinally spaced end portions of respective ones of said plurality of rods so as to collectively form an open latticework structure; and

means for readily removably securing said attaching elements to respective ones of said plurality of connectors.

7. A construction system according to claim 6, wherein said securing means comprises clips carried by said plurality of attaching elements which are adapted to be secured within respective slots provided in said respective ones of said plurality of connectors.

8. A construction system according to claim 6, further comprising face forming means attached to respective ones of said plurality of rods at locations spaced from the first and second longitudinally spaced end portions of said respective ones of said plurality of rods.

9. A construction system according to claim 8, wherein said face forming means comprises a plurality of sleeve members which extend about said respective ones of said plurality of rods and a cover member extending between and attached to said plurality of sleeve members.

10. A construction system according to claim 9, further comprising means for releasably securing said cover member to said plurality of sleeve members.

11. A construction system for making latticework structures comprising:

a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors including a base portion, having opposing faces and at least first, second and third side portions, and a plurality of attaching elements, said plurality of attaching elements including a first attaching element mounted on the first side portion of said base portion and a second attaching element mounted on the second side portion of said base portion, said first and second attaching elements respectively including first and second receiving openings each of which has an associated longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis of said first receiving opening intersecting the longitudinal axis of said second receiving opening at a predetermined angle;

a plurality of rods, each of said rods including first and second longitudinally spaced end portions, a first group of said plurality of connectors being interconnected by aligning the first receiving opening of a first connector of said first group of connectors with the second receiving opening of another connector of said first group of connectors and inserting the first end portion of a respective one of said plurality of rods within the aligned receiving openings to interconnect the first group of connectors, wherein a plurality of groups of said plurality of connectors are interconnectable, in a manner commensurate with said first group of connectors, at respective longitudinally spaced end portions of respective ones of said plurality of rods so as to collectively form an open latticework structure; and

a base member interengaged between a set of said plurality of rods, said base member including a rigid body portion formed with a plurality of spaced, upstanding pegs.

12. A construction system according to claim 11, wherein said base member carries a plurality of attaching elements which slidably receive respective ones of said set of said plurality of rods.

13. A construction system according to claim 11, wherein selected ones of said plurality of connectors incorporate an upstanding post, said base member being formed with a recess for removably receiving said upstanding post to secure said base member to said selected ones of said plurality of connectors.