TRUNCATED ICOSAHEDRA ASSEMBLIES

• US 20180305926A1
• Filed: 04/19/2018
• Published: 10/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lanahan Revocable Living Trust
• Original Assignee: Lanahan Revocable Living Trust
• Inventors: Lanahan, Samuel J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,443,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E04C 1/00 Building elements of block or other shape for the construction of parts of buildings of relatively thin form E04C2/00; structural elongated elements designed for load-supporting E04C3/00, e.g. columns or pillars E04C3/30; manufacture or material of building bricks, stones, or the like B28, C03, C04; paving elements E01C; general building constructions E04B, e.g. walls E04B2/00, floors E04B5/00, roofs E04B7/00, ceilings E04B9/00; roof coverings E04D; coverings for walls or ceilings E04F13/00; floorings E04F15/00; structural elements specially designed for built-in conduit shafts E04F17/00; elements for buildings for particular purposes E04H7/00; special elements for building ovens or furnaces F24B, F27D
• CPC Class Codes: F16S 3/00 Elongated members, e.g. profiled members; Assemblies thereof; Gratings or grilles gratings or grilles formed from a sheet or the like F16S1/00, F16S1/08; frames for doors, windows or the like E06B1/00, E06B3/00

Abstract

A truncated icosahedron assembly can include a plurality of structural elements coupled together in a truncated icosahedral configuration. Each structural element can include first and second hexagonal portions and first and second pentagonal portions. The hexagonal portions of each structural element can be coupled together at a first edge of the first hexagonal portion and a second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The pentagonal portions of each structural element can be spaced relative to each other by the first and second hexagonal portions. The first pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion. The second pentagonal portion of each structural element can be coupled to the hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion.

Claims

1. An assembly, comprising:

a plurality of structural elements, wherein each structural element includes first and second hexagonal portions and first and second pentagonal portions,

wherein the first and second hexagonal portions of each structural element are coupled together at a first edge of the first hexagonal portion and a second edge of the second hexagonal portion,

wherein the first and second pentagonal portions of each structural element are spaced relative to each other by the first and second hexagonal portions,

wherein the first pentagonal portion of each structural element is coupled to the first and second hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion,

wherein the second pentagonal portion of each structural element is coupled to the first and second hexagonal portions adjacent the first edge of the first hexagonal portion and the second edge of the second hexagonal portion, and

wherein the structural elements are configured such that the structural elements can be coupled together in a truncated icosahedral configuration.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of structural elements comprises six structural elements.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the structural elements is rotated 90 degrees relative to an adjacent structural element.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements comprise curved surfaces such that the structural elements form a sphere when the structural elements are coupled together.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements comprise inside surfaces and outside surfaces, wherein at least one of the outside surfaces comprises a first coating, and at least one of the inside surfaces comprises a second coating.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the at least one first coating is configured to react with a substance more slowly than the at least one second coating reacts with the substance.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are coupled together magnetically.

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are flexible.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are rigid.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein one of the structural elements is formed from a different material than another structural element.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements are coupled together by attachment members.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the attachment members engage the structural elements in a snap-fit connection.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the structural elements comprise mating features configured to interlock the structural elements relative to adjacent structural elements.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the assembly is one of a plurality of assemblies that are coupled together with connecting members to form a hexagonal layer.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the hexagonal layer is one of a plurality of hexagonal layers that are stacked and coupled together.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein each of the hexagonal layers is rotationally offset relative to an adjacent layer so as to form one or more helices.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein each of the hexagonal layers is rotationally offset relative to an adjacent layer by about 60-180 degrees.

18. An assembly, comprising:

a first structural member and a second structural member, wherein the first and second structural members each include a plurality of structural elements coupled together in a truncated icosahedral configuration; and

a connecting member coupled to and extending between the first and second structural members.

19. The assembly of claim 18, further comprising a first coupler and a second coupler, wherein the connecting member is coupled to the first structural member by the first coupler and is coupled to the second structural member by the second coupler.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the first and second couplers are configured to threadably engage the first and second structural members, respectively.