Modular structural system
First Claim
1. A modular structural system, comprising:
- an elongated hub having a generally elongated polygonal shape, and further comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of faces on a perimeter of the hub, the faces oriented along the axis, the hub also comprising two ends, and wherein each face and at least one end further comprises a bore;
at least one hub spoke, the hub spoke having a longitudinal axis and comprising a general shape of an elongated cylinder, an elongated cube or an elongated rectangle, with a first notch on a first end and a bore in the first notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the first end, and a second end comprising second and third notches taken in a direction perpendicular to the first notch, such that the second end has a general shape of a rounded rectangle or square, and further comprising a bore substantially in the center of the second end;
at least one leg spoke, the leg spoke having a longitudinal axis and comprising a general shape of an elongated cylinder, an elongated cube, or an elongated rectangle, with a first notch on a first end and a bore in the notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the first end, and a second end further comprising a bore in the longitudinal direction and substantially in the center of the second end; and
a cross brace having a longitudinal axis, the cross brace in a general shape of a flat rectangle having a first flat end with a longitudinal bore substantially in the center of the first flat end, and a second rounded end, and further comprising a bore through the cross brace at about a right angle to the longitudinal axis.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular structural system includes a hub in the general shape of a polygon, such as a hexagon or octagon, which may be somewhat rounded or may have a regular shape. The system includes a plurality of other structural members, such as hub spokes, for interfacing adjacent the hub, and leg spokes, for interfacing with the hub or with the hub spokes. The system also includes cross braces for providing additional support between the hub spokes and leg spokes. The hub, the hub spokes, leg spokes, and cross braces are joined by bores in the individual pieces and a plurality of dowels or rods placed into the bores. From these modular pieces, and currently available structural members, many useful and recreational structures may be assembled and then disassembled, such as frames, garden structures, furniture, shelving, and the like.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A modular structural system, comprising:
-
an elongated hub having a generally elongated polygonal shape, and further comprising a longitudinal axis and a plurality of faces on a perimeter of the hub, the faces oriented along the axis, the hub also comprising two ends, and wherein each face and at least one end further comprises a bore; at least one hub spoke, the hub spoke having a longitudinal axis and comprising a general shape of an elongated cylinder, an elongated cube or an elongated rectangle, with a first notch on a first end and a bore in the first notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the first end, and a second end comprising second and third notches taken in a direction perpendicular to the first notch, such that the second end has a general shape of a rounded rectangle or square, and further comprising a bore substantially in the center of the second end; at least one leg spoke, the leg spoke having a longitudinal axis and comprising a general shape of an elongated cylinder, an elongated cube, or an elongated rectangle, with a first notch on a first end and a bore in the notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the first end, and a second end further comprising a bore in the longitudinal direction and substantially in the center of the second end; and a cross brace having a longitudinal axis, the cross brace in a general shape of a flat rectangle having a first flat end with a longitudinal bore substantially in the center of the first flat end, and a second rounded end, and further comprising a bore through the cross brace at about a right angle to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
12. A modular structural system, comprising:
-
a hub having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of faces on a perimeter of the hub, the faces oriented along the axis, the hub also comprising two ends, wherein a plurality of faces and each end further comprises a bore; at least one hub spoke, the hub spoke having a longitudinal axis and comprising a general shape of an elongated cylinder with a first notch near a first end and a bore in the first notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the elongated cylinder, and a second end comprising second and third notches taken in a direction perpendicular to the first notch, such that a shape of the second end is a rounded rectangle or square, and further comprising a bore substantially in the center of the second end; at least one leg spoke, the leg spoke having a longitudinal axis with a first notch near a first end and a bore in the notch substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis, the bore proceeding from the notch to an outer surface of the first end, and a second end further comprising a bore in the longitudinal direction and substantially in the center of the second end; and a cross brace having a longitudinal axis, the cross brace in a shape of a flat rectangle having a first flat end with a longitudinal bore substantially in the center of the first flat end, and a second end, and further comprising a bore through the cross brace at about a right angle to the longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification