Modular hub and strut structural system
First Claim
1. A modular structural system comprising:
- a) at least one connector hub member comprising a core and a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of planes and each having first and second opposing side walls and a floor, with each cavity accessible through an open side thereof and having above said first and second side walls first and second opposing flanges projecting toward each other from respective first and second flange plates; and
b) at least one strut member having two opposing lateral lengths and two opposing inner lengths between said lateral lengths, a first end, and a second end, with each end comprising an engageable portion disposed thereat for engagement of the strut within a cavity of the connector hub member, said engageable portion having first and second grooves to slidingly capture said first and second opposing flanges of the cavity and complimentary in shape to said first and second side walls and of a size to frictionally engage said side walls, with said strut member having a strut cross-sectional geometry substantially identical to and in alignment with the cross-sectional geometry of the floor of the cavity when the engageable portion of the end is engaged within the cavity.
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Abstract
A modular structural system for building models and structures. The system comprises a plurality of connector hub members each having spherical symmetry, and a plurality of strut members having longitudinal symmetry, wherein, each of the connector hub members provides a strut joining feature adapted for receiving the strut members, and each of the strut members provides a hub joining feature adapted for engaging the strut joining feature of the connector hub members, such that the strut members are removably engagable with the connector hub members in alternative first and second positions placing the strut members in corresponding radial and tangential positions relative to the connector hub members.
73 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A modular structural system comprising:
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a) at least one connector hub member comprising a core and a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of planes and each having first and second opposing side walls and a floor, with each cavity accessible through an open side thereof and having above said first and second side walls first and second opposing flanges projecting toward each other from respective first and second flange plates; and
b) at least one strut member having two opposing lateral lengths and two opposing inner lengths between said lateral lengths, a first end, and a second end, with each end comprising an engageable portion disposed thereat for engagement of the strut within a cavity of the connector hub member, said engageable portion having first and second grooves to slidingly capture said first and second opposing flanges of the cavity and complimentary in shape to said first and second side walls and of a size to frictionally engage said side walls, with said strut member having a strut cross-sectional geometry substantially identical to and in alignment with the cross-sectional geometry of the floor of the cavity when the engageable portion of the end is engaged within the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A modular structure comprising:
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a) a plurality of connector hub members each comprising a core and a plurality of cavities arranged in a plurality of planes and each having first and second opposing side walls and a floor, with each cavity accessible through an open side thereof and having above said first and second side walls, first and second opposing flanges projecting toward each other from respective first and second flange plates; and
b) a plurality of strut members each having two opposing lateral lengths and two opposing inner lengths between said lateral lengths, a first end, and a second end, with each end comprising an engageable portion disposed thereon for engagement of the strut within a cavity of the connector hub member, said engageable portion having first and second grooves to slidingly capture said first and second opposing flanges of the cavity and complimentary in shape to said first and second side walls and of a size to frictionally engage said side walls, with said strut member having a strut cross-sectional geometry substantially identical to and in alignment with the cross-sectional geometry of the floor of the cavity when the engageable portion of the end is engaged within the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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- 18. A modular structural system comprising a plurality of connector hub members each having spherical symmetry, and a plurality of strut members each defining a strut length and each having linear longitudinal symmetry, wherein each of the connector hub members provides strut joining structure adapted for receiving at least one of the strut members, and each of the strut members provides hub joining structure adapted for engaging the strut joining structure of at least one of the connector hub members, such that the strut members are removably engageable with the connector hub members in alternative first and second positions, placing the strut members in corresponding radial and tangential positions relative to the connector hub members, the hub joining structure of the strut members being adapted for receiving an edge of a panel, wherein the panel edge is engaged with the hub joining structure when the modular structural system is in an assembled state.
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25. A modular structural system comprising a plurality of connector hub members each having spherical symmetry, and a plurality of strut members each defining a strut length and each having linear longitudinal symmetry, wherein each of the connector hub members provides a strut joining means adapted for receiving at least one of the strut members, and each of the strut members provides a hub joining means adapted for engaging the strut joining means of at least one of the connector hub members, such that the strut members are removably engageable with the connector hub members in alternative first and second positions, placing the strut members in corresponding radial and tangential positions relative to the connector hub members, wherein the hub joining means of the strut members is adapted for receiving an edge of a panel, and wherein the panel edge is fully engaged with the hub joining means along the entire strut length.
Specification