Connection system for connecting struts to construct three-dimensional structures
First Claim
1. A connection system for connecting struts formed from paper or paper-like sheets rolled into a tube comprising(i) a plurality of cylindrical receptors, each receptor having(a) an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the predetermined outside diameter of the tubes for friction-fit engagement onto the ends of each tube;
- (b) a finger centrally disposed within the receptor and about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and in which at least a part of such finger is substantially the same size as the inside diameter of the tube, wherein such finger is made of a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending radially from the longitudinal axis of the finger; and
(c) connecting means for press-fit detachable engagement of each receptor with a complementary connecting means on a connector; and
(ii) a plurality of connectors wherein each connector has at least two such complementary connecting means for connecting at least two receptors to the connector and by this to each other.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A connection system for connecting struts formed from paper or paper-like sheets rolled into a tube is made of cylindrical receptors and connectors. Each cylindrical receptor has an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the predetermined outside diameter of the tube for friction-fit engagement onto the end of the tube. Each cylindrical receptor also has a finger which is centrally disposed within the receptor, about the longitudinal axis thereof. At least a part of such finger is substantially the same size as the inside diameter of the tube. The finger is made of a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending radially from its longitudinal axis. Each receptor is press-fit engageable with a connector. Each connector is press-fit engageable with at least two receptors. The connection system allows for the connection of struts which can be readily constructed by the user of the construction system.
45 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A connection system for connecting struts formed from paper or paper-like sheets rolled into a tube comprising
(i) a plurality of cylindrical receptors, each receptor having (a) an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the predetermined outside diameter of the tubes for friction-fit engagement onto the ends of each tube; -
(b) a finger centrally disposed within the receptor and about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and in which at least a part of such finger is substantially the same size as the inside diameter of the tube, wherein such finger is made of a plurality of longitudinal ribs extending radially from the longitudinal axis of the finger; and (c) connecting means for press-fit detachable engagement of each receptor with a complementary connecting means on a connector; and (ii) a plurality of connectors wherein each connector has at least two such complementary connecting means for connecting at least two receptors to the connector and by this to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A receptor for a rolled paper tube comprising
(i) a cylinder of an inside diameter approximately equal to or slightly smaller than the predetermined outside diameter of a rolled paper tube to be inserted into the cylinder at one end and (ii) a finger within the cylinder and centrally disposed about the longitudinal axis of the cylinder, formed from a plurality of longitudinal ribs and defining between the outside surface of the finger and the inside surface of the cylinder an annular channel for receiving the paper tube and in which a part of the finger is substantially located at the inside diameter of the tube and (iii) means on the cylinder for connection to another receptor for a rolled paper tube.
Specification