Radial tetrahedral modular structures

• US 7,954,296 B2
• Filed: 03/20/2009
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis John Newland
• Original Assignee: Dennis John Newland
• Inventors: Newland, Dennis John
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis; Eileen
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKBASLI, ALP A
• Application Number:
  US12/407,956
• Publication Number:
  US 20100236184A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 526/531, 526/45, 526/46, 403/126, 403/169.1, 403/171, 403/172, 403/173, 403/176
• US Class Current: 52/655.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/08 provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 1/19 Three-dimensional framework structures
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1933 of polygonal, e.g. square, cross section
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1975 Frameworks where the struts are directly connected to each other, i.e. without interposed connecting nodes or plates
• CPC Class Codes: E04B 2001/1978 Frameworks assembled from preformed subframes, e.g. pyramids
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/341 Three or more radiating members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/344 Plural pairs of axially aligned members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/347 Polyhedral

Abstract

A new connecting node set that is unique and surprisingly effective at aligning interfacing holes in connecting nodes is illustrated by their application to radial tetrahedral structures. This method of connecting one node to another requires that a left handed node be connected to a right handed node. They are called left handed or right handed because their lines of interface in at least two directions of intended use are geometrically coincident with straight line rulings of a hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet which itself consists of two families of straight line rulings, designated a left handed and a right handed family respectively. With these nodes, magnets could be placed on the lines of interface (opposite placement in a left handed one from a right handed one) and thus the magnets would always attract or repel as preferred.

Claims

1. A joint for connecting node sets of tetrahedral structures comprising:

a pair of nodes, each said node having first, second, and third faces which oppose fourth, fifth and sixth faces respectively,

one of the nodes is a left handed node and the other is a right handed node;

at least first, second, and third holes on the corresponding first, second, and third faces of each of the nodes extend therethrough creating first, second and third pathways to the opposing fourth, fifth, and sixth faces;

wherein the axes of the pathways of said left handed node correspond to a left handed ruling line of a hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet whose curvature is such that the longitudinal axes of said pathways are mutually orthogonal and such that said first, second, and third pathways are aligned in first, second, and third directions so to not intersect;

wherein the axes of the pathways of said right handed node correspond to a right handed ruling line of a hyperboloid of revolution of one sheet whose curvature is such that the longitudinal axes of said pathways are mutually orthogonal and such that said first, second, and third pathways are aligned in first, second, and third directions so to not intersect; and

wherein said first hole on said first face of said left handed node and said first hole on said first face of said right handed node are directly aligned with one another and said first surfaces adjoin creating a matching line of interface between said surfaces.

2. The joint of claim 1, wherein the left handed and right handed connecting nodes are attached to structural components;

and

wherein said structural components can be connected to one or more sets of structural components at said left handed and right handed connecting nodes.