Polyhedral structural systems

• US 5,906,530 A
• Filed: 04/27/1998
• Issued: 05/25/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bafadesign, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alan Lindsey
• Inventors: Lindsey, Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US09/067,538
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 446/85, 446/220, 446/221, 446/222, 446/223, 446/224, 446/225, 446/226
• US Class Current: 446/85
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2027/1075 Special shapes or constructions for aircraft type balloons A63H2027/1066
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 27/10 Balloons connection of valves to inflatable elastic bodies B60C29/00; other than toy aspects B64B1/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/04 Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/048 to be assembled using hook and loop-type fastener or the like

Abstract

A system for releasably joining balloons and the like to form a structure, novelty, educational, or play item. The present invention comprises a modular system of inflated cells having connection members placed about each cells periphery, said cells configured to form various polyhedral shapes. The preferred embodiment of the present invention teaches the utilization of generally ellipsoidal balloons of a non-elastomeric material, such as MYLAR, each said ellipsoid forming a cell, and being configured to selectively engage neighboring balloons to form generally radial or other multi-celled structures. While the preferred embodiment of the present system contemplates the utilization of hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO, for joining the cells, alternative modes of releasable attachment are also contemplated such as adhesives, ties, tape, and shrink wrap. The present system in effect creates a double-walled structure (which walls may be inflated) which utilizes an attachment configuration which provides for enhanced structural integrity, as well as diversity and flexibility in terms of the alternative configured structures and items which may be fabricated utilizing the present system. An alternative embodiment of the present invention contemplates a multi-celled, releasably joined inflatable structure which may be assembled in such a manner as to form a cushion and simulate an explosive impact, upon a user falling or jumping upon same.

Claims

1. A multi-unit structure approximating a least a portion of a polyhedron, said polyhedron comprising first and second, adjacent faces, said system further comprising:

a first unit having a structure filled with a supporting fill material, said structure having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a first plane;

a second unit having structure filled with a supporting fill material, said structure having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a second plane;

said first and second planes being situated in generally tangential fashion with said first and second adjacent faces of said polyhedron, respectively, such that a portion of said outer surface of said first unit is positioned adjacent to said outer surface of said second unit, defining a connection area between said outer surfaces of said first and second units;

fastening means for anchoring said first unit outer surface to said second unit outer surface at said connection area, said fastening means situated in the vicinity of said connection area.

2. The unit of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises fastener members spaced in relatively equidistant fashion.

3. The unit of claim 2, wherein each of said fastener members are equidistantly spaced relative to said outer peripheries of said first and second units, respectively.

4. The unit of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises polar contact fasteners.

5. The unit of claim 4, wherein said polar contact fasteners comprises adjacent female and male fastener members.

6. The unit of claim 4 wherein said polar contact fasteners are arrayed such that for each periphery of said face of said polyhedron being approximated, male and female or positive and negative fasteners maintain a consistent left and right relationship to one another relative to an observer viewing said unit from the interior of said polyhedron, such arrangement providing ready means of connecting said unit to any other similarly designed unit.

7. The unit of claim 5, wherein said male fastener member comprises hook material, and said female fastener member comprises loop material.

8. The unit of claim 4, wherein said polar contact fasteners are magnetic.

9. The unit of claim 1, wherein said fastening means comprises adhesive.

10. The unit of claim 1, wherein said first unit is filled with polystyrene.

11. A method of forming a structure, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a multi-unit structure approximating at least a portion of a polyhedron, said polyhedron comprising adjacent faces, said method further comprising the steps of;

b. providing a structural member, comprising;

a unit having a three dimensional structure formed from a container having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a plane;

c. providing another structural member, comprising;

an additional unit having a three dimensional structure formed from a container having an outer surface and a outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a plane;

d. affixing one of said units to another of said units, comprising the sub-steps of;

i. placing said one of said units in the vicinity of another of said units;

ii. situating said planes of said units in generally tangential alignment with said adjacent faces of said polyhedron, respectively, such that a portion of said outer surface of said one of said units is positioned adjacent to said outer surface of another of said units, defining a connection area between said outer surfaces of said units;

iii. selectively anchoring one of said unit outer surfaces to another of said unit outer surfaces at said connection area, in a manner so as to maintain said planes of said units in generally tangential alignment with said adjacent faces of said polyhedron, said anchoring accomplished in the vicinity of said connection area, on each of said units;

e. repeating steps b-d until the desired configuration is formed.

12. A device configured to disassemble with the application of force thereupon, comprising:

a multi-unit structure approximating at least a portion of a polyhedron, said polyhedron comprising first and second, adjacent faces, said system further comprising;

a first unit having a three dimensional structure formed from a structure having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a first plane;

a second unit having a three dimensional structure formed from a structure having an outer surface and an outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a second plane;

said first and second planes being situated in generally tangential fashion with said first and second adjacent faces of said polyhedron, respectively, such that a portion of said outer surface of said first unit is positioned adjacent to said outer surface of said second unit, defining a connection area between said outer surfaces of said first and second units;

anchoring means for anchoring said first unit outer surface to said second unit outer surface at said connection.

13. A method of fragmenting a structure, comprising the steps of:

a. forming a multi-unit structure approximating at least a portion of a polyhedron, said polyhedron comprising adjacent faces, said method further comprising the steps of;

b. providing a structural member, comprising;

a unit having an outer surface and a outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a plane;

c. providing another structural member, comprising;

an additional unit having an outer surface and a outer periphery, said outer periphery defining a plane;

d. affixing one of said units to another of said units, comprising the sub-steps of;

i. placing said one of said units in the vicinity of another of said units;

ii. situating said planes of said units in generally tangential alignment with said adjacent faces of said polyhedron, respectively, such that a portion of said outer surface of said one of said units is positioned adjacent to said outer surface of another of said units, defining a connection area between said outer surfaces of said units;

iii. anchoring one of said unit outer surfaces to another of said unit outer surfaces at said connection area, in a manner so as to maintain said planes of said units in generally tangential alignment with said adjacent faces of said polyhedron, said anchoring accomplished in the vicinity of said connection area, on each of said units.

e. repeating steps b-d until a structure is formed;

f applying pressure to said structure, un-fastening said fastener members;

g. randomly dislocating said structural members from one another, and distributing said dislocated units in random, spaced relationship from one another.