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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A structure from a family of polyhedral models and rigid structures having discrete interior and exterior structural elements, the structure comprising:
a plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules, each module including:
at least three polygonal structures, each of the polygonal structures having a base edge and at least two side edges;
at least one hinge;
said polygonal structures each coupled by the base edge to said hinge to form one of said plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules, wherein each angle subtended between any two of said at least three polygonal structures of the one
basic stellate-hinged polygonal module is variable about said hinge;
wherein the structure includes at least two of the plurality of the basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules coupled to each other along corresponding side edges of at least one of the at least three polygonal structures of each of the at least
two basic stellate-hinged modules;
wherein a second angle subtended between the coupled polygonal structures of each of the coupled at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules at their side edges is variable; and
wherein additional basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules are similarly coupled together with the at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules to form the structure.
2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinge of at least one of the plurality of stellate-hinged polygonal modules is formed by a barrel-type hinge.
3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinge of at least one of the plurality of stellate-hinged polygonal modules has an axis with two opposite ends, and wherein the hinge is formed by opposing balls and corresponding annular
sockets located at each of the opposite ends of the hinge axis.
4. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures of at least one of the plurality of stellate-hinged polygonal modules is an equilateral triangular polygon.
5. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures of at least one of the plurality of stellate-hinged polygonal modules is a non-equilateral triangular polygon.
6. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinge of each of the plurality of stellate-hinged polygonal modules has two opposite ends, and wherein the side edges of the coupled at least two stellate-hinged polygonal modules are oriented
so that one of the two opposite ends of the hinge of one of the at least two stellate-hinged polygonal modules abuts with one of the two opposite ends of the hinge of the other of the at least two stellate-hinged polygonal modules.
7. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinge of the at least two stellate-hinged polygonal modules has two opposite ends, and wherein the corresponding coupled side edges of the at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules
are oriented so that one end of the two opposite ends of the hinge of one of the at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules abuts with a vertex connection of ends of the at least two side edges of one of the at least three polygonal structures
of the other of the at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules.
8. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional linear structural element is located between two different polygonal structures at a vertex connection of ends between the at least two side edges for each of the two
different polygonal structures.
9. The structure according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional linear structural element is located between any points along an edge of one of the at least two side edges of two different polygonal structures.
10. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the base edges of the at least three polygonal structures of the at least two basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules are of equal length.
11. The structure according to claim 1, wherein some of the at least three polygonal structures of the plurality of basic stellate-hinged modules in said structure are removable from either an inside or an outside of said structure to form
openings in the structure while still maintaining rigidity of the structure.
12. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a double leaved planar connector, and wherein the at least three polygonal structures are each coupled by their base edges to the hinge by the double leaved planar connector.
13. The structure according to claim 1, wherein a single exterior geometric polyhedral framework is formed from the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules and joined to a discrete additional interior polyhedral framework formed
from the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules to form the rigid polyhedral structure.
14. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least two side edges of the at least three polygonal structures are of equal length.
15. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the at least two side edges of the at least three polygonal structures are of different length.
16. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the polyhedral structure has a form being at least partial dissections of aggregations of the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules.
17. The structure according to claim 1, wherein each edge and surface at an exterior of the polyhedral structure has a corresponding but inverted edge and surface at an interior of the polyhedral structure.
18. The structure according to claim 1, wherein all interior edges of the polyhedral structure meet at a single point.
19. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form a 30-sided deltahedron in which all interior edges meet at a single point.
20. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form a 48-sided deltahedron in which all interior edges meet at a single point.
21. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the polyhedral structure has a form of 3 faceted cylindrical structures with multiple interior bulkheads, the cylindrical structures joined together in a triangular array.
22. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form several different structures each having a centrally located faceted cylindrical structure having two opposite ends, and which flares
at least at one of the opposite ends into a parasol-like faceted ellipsoid structure radiating out from the central faceted cylindrical structure.
23. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form shallow octahedrons, and wherein the shallow octahedrons are joined to form a structure with two parallel planes of joined shallow
octahedrons that are joined together by other shallow octahedrons located normal to and between the two parallel planes.
24. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form tetrahedrons, and wherein the tetrahedrons are joined to form several different substantially cylindrical structures having different
amounts of concavity and complexity.
25. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form tetrahedrons, and wherein the tetrahedrons are joined to form a variable planar structure.
26. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form octahedrons and tetrahedrons, and wherein the octahedrons and the tetrahedrons are joined to form several different substantially
spherical complexly concave polyhedral structures.
27. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form a structure being a triakis icasahedron at its exterior and a great dodecahedron at its interior.
28. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form faceted cylindrical structures having interior bulkheads, octahedrons and tetrahedrons, and wherein the octahedrons and tetrahedrons
are joined to form substantially spherical structures in a rectilinear grid joined to each other by sections of the faceted cylindrical structures having interior bulkheads.
29. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form octahedrons and tetrahedrons, and wherein the octahedrons and the tetrahedrons are joined to form four faceted substantially spherical
structures which form a complex polyhedral structure by joining the four faceted substantially spherical structures together to form faceted cylindrical structures with interior bulkheads and a complex manifold chamber space between the four structures.
30. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules are coupled together to form a flexible egg-crate like structure.
31. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules are coupled together to form a truss-like structure.
32. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the base edges of the at least three polygonal structures of the at least two basic stellate-hinged modules are different lengths.
33. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the base edge and the at least two side edges each have opposite ends, wherein the hinge forms the base edge of each of the at least three polygonal structures, wherein the at least two side edges
of each of the at least three polygonal structures are coupled to each other at one of the opposite ends of each of the at least two side edges, and wherein the other of the opposite ends of each of the at least two side edges are each coupled to the
opposite ends of the hinge.
34. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules form shallow octahedrons and tetrahedrons, wherein the shallow octahedrons and tetrahedrons are coupled together to provide a structure
having the form of a faceted ellipsoid with opposite ends and a perimeter, and wherein the faceted ellipsoid is coupled by the perimeter to three smaller polyhedral structures, and which also includes an interior with a centrally located faceted
cylindrical structure having two opposite ends which flares at each of the opposite ends into the opposite ends of the faceted ellipsoid.
35. A method for assembling a structure from a family of complex polyhedral models and rigid structures having discrete interiors and exteriors, the method comprising the steps of:
assembling a first basic stellate-hinged polygonal module the module including:
providing at least three polygonal structures, each having a base edge and at least two side edges;
providing at least one hinge;
coupling each of said at least three polygonal structures by their base edges to said hinge to form said first basic stellate-hinged polygonal module, wherein each angle subtended between any two of said at least three polygonal structures of
said first basic stellate-hinged polygonal module is variable;
forming an additional substantially similar second basic stellate-hinged polygonal module;
joining the additional second basic stellate-hinged polygonal module to the first basic stellate-hinged polygonal module at corresponding side edges of one of the at least three polygonal structures of each of the modules;
wherein a second angle subtended between the coupled polygonal structures of the coupled modules at their side edges is variable; and
wherein additional basic stellate-hinged polygonal modules are joined to the first basic stellate-hinged polygonal module and the additional similar second basic stellate-hinged polygonal module at the side edges of their polygonal structures,
thereby progressively assembling the structure.
36. A stellate building module for constructing complex polyhedrons and structures, the module comprising:
at least three polygonal structures, each polygonal structure having a base edge and at least two side edges; and
a hinge coupled to the base edge of each of the at least three polygonal structures to form a stellate-hinged building module;
wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures can rotate about the hinge independently of the other polygonal structures, and wherein the side edges of the polygonal structures are adapted to be coupled to side edges of other stellate
building modules to form complex polyhedrons.
37. The module according to claim 36, wherein the hinge is wall size, and wherein the polygonal structures are wall sized panels.
38. The module according to claim 36, wherein the hinge of the stellate building module is formed by a barrel-type hinge.
39. The module according to claim 36, wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures is an equilateral triangular polygon.
40. The module according to claim 36, wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures is a non-equilateral triangular polygon.
41. The module according to claim 36, wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures are formed by a plurality of linear struts having two opposite ends, and wherein at least one additional linear strut is located between any point
between the two opposite ends of the linear struts of at least two different polygonal structures of the complex polyhedrons.
42. The module according to claim 36, wherein the hinge includes double leaved planar forms for matingly engaging the said at least three polygonal structures.
43. A stellate building module for constructing complex polyhedrons and structures, the module comprising:
at least three polygonal structures, each polygonal structure having a base edge and at least two side edges; and
a hinge coupled to the base edge of each of the at least three polygonal structures to form a stellate-hinged building module;
wherein each of the at least three polygonal structures can rotate about the hinge independently of the other polygonal structures, and wherein the side edges of the polygonal structures are adapted to be coupled to side edges of other stellate
building modules to form complex polyhedrons and wherein the hinge of the stellate building module has an axis with two opposite ends, and wherein the hinge is formed by opposing balls and corresponding annular sockets located at each of the opposite
ends of the hinge axis. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND-CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
To the best of Applicant's knowledge, no prior art exists which contains any of the new teachings of the instant application, or the particular combination of specific features of the embodiments of the present invention.
However, the present invention has evolved from experiments done using modified models following on the teachings of the applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,257 issued Mar. 5, 1985. In one possible model of the teaching of the prior U.S.
Pat. No. 4,502,257 the diagonals of a square were investigated to form a module according to that prior patent. By continuing to develop newer geometric models and in working by modifying structures discovered in the prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,257,
specifically in working with the module formed of the diagonals of a square sheet, the applicant's subsequent U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,450 issued Jul. 28, 1987 was granted for a structure having an exterior shape being at least a partial triakis
icosohedron and having an interior shape being at least a partial great dodecahedron. At the time of prosecuting this prior patent, a simple geometric description of the mathematical form of the model claimed was requested by the applicant to be
allowed, but this was rejected by the examiner, and the independent claims as finally allowed were a compromise, leaving the simpler geometric description relating to the different discrete structures formed on the interior and the exterior of the model
to be allowed as dependent claims only.
Later experiments following on and further developing beyond the teaching of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,450 for a geometric framework, yielded new teachings which were patented in the applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,796 issued Sep. 12, 1989, for
a Variable Polyhedral Framework. This patent also contained the quality of having "sidedness" in that a geometric model was disclosed being a variable space-framework whose several structural forms, though identical, were discrete and located on
different sides of the plane, discrete from one side of the model to the other, reversed in both location and orientation. In other words, the model of the applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,796 contained a "thickness" being the depth of the
framework across the plane of symmetry, and surfaces on one side of the plane were discrete and separate from surfaces on the other side of the plane.
Further experimentation following the paths opened by the applicant's prior patents has now led to the development of many newer, and different models having none of the features of formation and none of the forms of the applicants earlier
patents, and a new, more generic teaching which is the matter of the instant application. Following along the ideas of modularity, planar panels making polyhedral frameworks having a depth, an interior and exterior with discrete surfaces formed across
that depth, and frameworks being easily clad, and the other ideas as discussed below have led to the teaching of embodiments of the present invention.
In the applicant's previous U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,796 for a Variable Polyhedron, the ball and socket device located at each end of the linear hinge axis functions in effect as a hinge and is defined in Column 4, lines 35-36 as "a variable means
being either a ball and socket means or a hinge means".
Further research with the teaching of these prior patents has discovered that the ball and sockets when joined to edges, in the case of this patent, to the edges of polygons in a specific manner, may in and of themselves function as a hinge This
new teaching is also included in embodiments of the present invention.
Though the continuity of ideas and models can be clearly seen to be evolving as the natural outgrowth of continued research and experimentation in following some of the ideas of the earlier patents; the generic teaching of the instant application
is a new teaching, being the fruition of continued research Of one branch direction leading away from but encompassing some of the earlier patents.
In the instant application, the hinge feature has become one of the essential teachings, and has been found to be the basis for a simpler generic teaching encompassing some features of the earlier patents and in addition many new features being
the basic module and the several unique polyhedral structures embodiments of the present invention never before disclosed, comprising the new teaching of embodiments of the present invention.
In essence, the applicant's earlier abovementioned patents are in fact the pedagogic tools and transitional stages used in the continual development of a sequence of particular species of a larger generic teaching now disclosed and the different
teaching of a domain of unique polyhedral geometric structures, of which the genus has subsequently been discovered, and the generic and specific claims of this domain of geometry are the new teaching of the instant application.
In addition, some additional material disclosures were made to the patent office in the forms of photographs of models after the U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,450 issued, and were included in the Patent Examiner's file. These models also indicate my
further developments in transitional stages leading to the present teaching.
BACKGROUND--FIELD OF INVENTION
Embodiments of this invention relate to complex polyhedral structures formed of stellate-hinged modular structures made of joined polygons, joined about the axis of a linear hinge device. A variable polyhedral key is taught, used in different
arrays at different angles of attitude of its several parts to each other, several keys when joined together forming complex rigid polyhedrons.
In particular, emodiments of this invention relate to complex polyhedral frameworks, specifically to such rigid frameworks having discrete, different forms and surfaces being formed and defined at the exterior and at the interior of the
frameworks or on either side of a substantially polyhedral framework model, which are formed of stellate-hinged polygons. The basic teaching of the present invention is a geometric module which acts as a key, when used with others of like kind to form
previously unknown complex polyhedral models having different discrete triangulated rigid structures at the interior and the exterior of the models.
BACKGROUND--DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Many different modular structures made from linear struts forming rigid frameworks are known in the prior art. Each solves a particular problem, for example, ease of erection, or of manufacturing from a simpler or more cost effective module.
In some applications, for example, a small manufacturer, or a building program requiring maximum diversity from a minimum inventory or in the trusses for space stations in outer space, a very simply assembled system having a limited number of
parts is needed to produce a rigid structure. Such prior art structural systems contain the following number of disadvantages:
(a) In the prior art, for a given framework system its linear struts and connectors can only form a limited number of discrete framework structures. To achieve a different framework or a variety of frameworks, different struts and connectors are
required.
(b) In some cases complex and costly connector modules, known in the art as nodes have been taught as required to achieve a versatile amount of diversity for a single framework system. In the prior art, any attempt to achieve a very complex and
diverse number of different structural arrays of frameworks from the same modular structural system has not been possible without supplying a number of costly additional connectors, or complex connectors having many different apertures or recesses in the
same node to receive the placement of a linear strut in order to orient variously a given geometrical framework.
(c) In attempting solutions to these problems of diversity and variety, the prior art has relied on either clever ways to unfold or erect frameworks, or provided complex specialized shapes of connectors and struts, in essence, attempting
streamlining and simplifying ways to achieve known structures through the formation of complex and costly new modules. Obviously, this is a disparity of contradiction; if uniform low-cost ends are desired but high tech means are employed.
(d) The frameworks achieved by the prior art were always previously known geometric polyhedral frameworks, similar to known space frames and other known frames of the prior art. They were more costly and complex in order to achieve some
diversity, but finally achieved only preexisting known geometric forms, and failed to teach any new polyhedral forms from those known in the prior geometric art.
(e) In addition, the framework systems which achieved some diversity in the prior art, which were not traditional known space frame systems were thin section shell-like structures or thin frames without depth of stiffening, such as geodesic domes
or similar lightweight structures, and therefore not able to resist substantially large imposed loads. Also these thin-shelled structures being only exterior structures, contained no integral means to achieve the formation of differentiation of interior
space for usefulness.
(f) The prior art then contained no frameworks systems which were extremely diverse from a minimal means and also able to resist large imposed loads from both the exterior and the interior of the framework. In general, geodesic domes have
traditional rectilinear structures used at their interiors, which are not joined to the exterior frame. Traditional spaceframes, and thin shells because of their high cost, and due to the complexity of the form of their nodes and struts and labor
intensiveness required are used in only limited ways in building construction, for example as a featured design element only.
(g) Therefore these prior art innovations, were never able to teach a very simple module made from simple and known parts, and a few number of parts, which nonetheless formed new, innovative frameworks of a great diverse variety of types of
frameworks all made from the same simple module.
Nor have prior art frameworks formed from simple structural modules ever able to teach new polyheral frameworks of new geometries never before known, and which might have a diversity of applications in varying, different required situations, and
might resist large loads.
Nor have prior art frameworks formed from simple structural modules making a great diversity of different geometric models, been able to achieve both rigid interior and exterior structures which were integral to each other but each of discrete
separate form.
(h) Other more traditional modular building systems of the prior art often utilize rectilinear building forms as the end product of the construction process, even if some triangulation is also used in the subassemblies used to achieve the final
forms. These rectilinear forms are inherently not very rigid and therefore require additional stiffening which must be added to the rectilinear forms to achieve adequate rigidity.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of the modules described in my above patent, several objects and advantages embodiments of the present invention are;
(a) to provide a diverse number of very different frameworks, and to achieve this diversity using only a single discrete system of struts and connectors;
(b) to provide a simple and inexpensive connection means, able to achieve a great diversity of frameworks from a single structural system, allowing various orientations of its structural members into a variety of different forms:
(c) to provide a structural framework system made from known shapes of connectors and struts and existing methods of erection and construction which is nonetheless able to achieve a great diversity, complexity, and variety of previously unknown
structures;
(d) to provide a simple and inexpensive structural framework system which forms new, previously unknown useful geometric polyhedral frameworks;
(e) to provide a framework system with deep interior triangulated stiffening, able to achieve a great diversity of forms from a minimal means, not being a thin shell or shallow framed single planar lightweight structure, but being discretely
deeply stiffened at both its exterior and its interior and therefore able to resist large imposed loads;
(f) to provide a framework system able to achieve great diversity of forms from a minimal means, and still able to resist large imposed loads from both the exterior and the interior of the structures, being very practical frameworks;
(g) to provide a very simple structural modular element made from a few number of known parts, forming a diverse variety of new innovative complex polyhedral frameworks, able to resist large loads;
(h) to provide a modular building system in which all of the component parts of the geometric forming and rigidifying structure of the system are inherently triangulated, requiring little additional bracing to rigidify any larger structures or
rectilinear structures made by the present invention, when compared to the prior art;
FURTHER OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES ARE
to provide a stellate wall-sized hinge device utilizing the joinder of multiple polygonal walls to form complex polyhedral structures having discrete interior and exterior structures.
to provide a non-rigid, variable structural modular element being substantially an incomplete polyhedron which when joined with others of like kind then becomes rigidly oriented and forms a greater rigid framework,
to provide a modular element which is easy to manufacture, frameworks which are easy to erect, and which are capable of being disassembled and variously reconfigured, which provide a variety of different enclosed shapes of volumes from the same
modular elements,
to provide both uniform simple extendable arrays of geometric structures and very unique complex geometric frameworks, with different interior and exterior structural forms.
to provide several different faceted substantially cylindrical polyhedral frameworks with discrete interior radial bulkheads,
to provide several different variations of substantially spherical polyhedral frameworks with discrete interior triangulation some formed of shallow spaceframe-like frameworks being shallow octohedrons and deltahedra; some with great-circle-like
ridges formed from the edges of the hinged polygons of the basic modules of the device of the present application extending about the exterior of the structure and having a substantially great depth of triangulated structure at the interior,
to provide substantially rectilinear arrays formed of shallow space-frame being shallow octohedral subassemblies joined both at their base hinge edges and at the non base edges of the basic stellate-hinged polygonal module,
to provide several different umbrella-like or parasol-like frameworks having at the interior of the frameworks, central, faceted substantially cylindrical columns with discrete interior bulkheads supporting faceted lozenge-like or flattened
spherical or other complex exterior roof forms and which may be extended so that several frameworks may be connected and extended to enclose space with complex polyhedron structures,
to provide octohedral frameworks with additional six-faced deltahedra extending both to the interior and to the exterior of the structure about the base of the deltahedra at the faces of the octohedra and with smaller octohedra extending both to
the interior and exterior of the structure located at the vertices of the octohedra and whose vertices when additionally differentiated through connection by a linear strut form a tetrakis hexahedron,
to provide variable spaceframe structures formed of multiple six-sided deltahedra joined at their base edges,
to provide a space-filling eggcrate-like spaceframe structure containing many similar void spaces or a portion thereof used as a pitched roof truss formed of shallow octohedrons being a shallow spaceframe-like structure, the octohedrons joined at
their base edges and at the surfaces and edges of the polygons of the hinged polygonal modules of the embodiments of the present invention, linear strut members located between the non-base vertices of the octohedrons as required to further stiffen the
structure,
to provide a space filling eggcrate-like spaceframe structure containing many similar void spaces and flexible through a variable radius of curvature of the whole structure made of shallow octohedrons joined at their base edges and at the
surfaces and edges of the polygons of the hinged polygonal modules of the device of the present invention, linear strut members located between the non-base vertices of the octohedrons as required to further stiffen the structure,
to provide three joined substantially cylindrical faceted structures with discrete interior bulkheads thereby forming an overall substantially triangular framework of faceted cylindrical cross section having a footing or foundation anchoring
means formed integrally at the corners of the substantial triangular framework made at the location of the axis of the hinge portion of the hinged polygons and thereby formed either with a depression or a void at the center of the three joined
cylindrical structures,
to provide several different extremely complex polyhedral structures being several joined intersecting substantially spherical faceted structures having some triangulation at their interiors and being formed substantially of shallow spaceframe
structures which are shallow octohedrons and of deltahedrons, the intersection of the several spherical structures forming a complex manifold structure with tunnel regions formed from the proximity of three faceted substantially cylindrical connecting
regions made of the stellate-hinged polygons of embodiments of the present invention,
to provide a variable network of deltahedrons formed symmetrically across a planar mat which may be varied by hinging means at tile bases of the deltahedrons which forms several different faceted substantially cylindrical structures and in
addition forms a structure being at its exterior a deep triakis-icosohedron and at its interior a great dodecahedron,
to provide a research tool for the systematic testing of a multi-leaved stellate-hinged wall, which may be used to discover further additional new complex polyhedrons formed from the joining of several modules made of the hinged polygons of the
device of the present invention joined at various differing angles, also making additional hybrid combinations of the several complex polyhedrons embodiments of the present invention,
to provide additional linear strut members to further stiffen and rigidify the structures formed by the hinged polygonal module of the device of the present invention,
to provide a comprehensive structural system in which the constituent parts of the basic modules of the system are so simple that some of the elements of the many disparate complex framework structures which may be formed may be easily joined to
each other through the abuttment of the substantially identical constituent parts and therefore allows for the formation of the joinder of the many different complex structures of the embodiments of the present invention thereby forming complex framework
structures,
Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
DRAWING FIGURES
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
FIGS. 1A to 1D show plan views of several typical embodiments of the non-rigid, freely pivoting basic stellate-hinged module.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one typical embodiment of the basic stellate-hinge, with a second module attached.
FIGS. 3A-3D shows an elevational view of a typical scheme of the form of a multi-leaved stellate-hinge showing the features of the different parts of the barrel of the hinge differently divided into segments for each of the, in this case, four
joined polygonal panels, to which the hinge is attached.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the variable node located at the ends of the axis of rotation of the hinge.
FIG. 5A-5C show some typical preferred polygonal panels and their hinge device attachments.
FIGS. 6A-6B show a basic complex polyhedral structure formed from embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6C shows a cut-away view of a part of the interior of the structure of 6A and 6B.
FIG. 7A shows an additional basic complex polyhedral structure formed from embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7B shows a cut-away view of a part of the interior of the structure of 7A.
FIGS. 8A-8C shows a complex polyhedral structure being the joinder of three faceted cylindrical structural frameworks.
FIGS. 9A-9C shows a complex polyhedral structure having a faceted columnar cylindrical structure at its center and additional frameworks located at the ends of the axis of the column and continuing out away from the center column.
FIGS. 10A-10B show a complex structure formed of a joining of several parallel layers of shallow octohedral frameworks.
FIGS. 11A-11F show various forms of complex polyhedral frameworks having faceted columnar substantially cylindrical structures at their interior central axes and umbrella parasol-like structures formed at the ends of the axes, as well as hybrid
versions of these structures.
FIGS. 12A-12C show both complex faceted columnar structures and a variable polyhedral framework which are formed from deltahedra made from the basic modules of the embodiments of the present invention.
FIGS. 13A-13C shows a view of a complex substantially spherical framework formed of the joinder of shallow octohedra and deltahedra made from the basic modules of embodiments the present invention, as well as one variation of the framework.
FIGS. 14A-14B show views of a structure made according to the embodiments of the present invention, which is a triakis icosohedron at its exterior and a great dodecahedron at its interior.
FIGS. 15A-15D show views of a three dimensional rectilinear grid of joined substantially spherical faceted frameworks, joined by sections of faceted substantially cylindrical frameworks.
FIGS. 16A-16C show views of an very complex polyhedral structural framework, made from the embodiments of the present invention, having the form of four complex faceted substantially spherical structures joined together through a substantially
tetrahedral manifold formed of the joinder of four faceted substantially cylindrical frameworks.
FIG. 17 shows a view of the joinder of two sections of rigid faceted substantially cylindrical polyhedral frameworks, joined across a flexible variable framework made from the identical structural subassemblies as the two rigid frameworks.
FIG. 18 is a view of an assembly of portions of shallow octohedral frameworks according to embodiments of the present invention, joined into a trusslike assembly.
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
10 base edge
12 side edges
14 hinge device (axis)
16 simple end
18 node device
19 base edge of polygon
20 connection process at vertex opposite hinge axis
21 side edge of polygon
22 additional hinge device
22A additional rigid connector
23 basic hinge
24leaf
25 ends of hinge
26 annulus chamber
27 node
28 variable angle
30 cap closure
32 center bridge
34 strut truncation
36 break line for node
38 variable angle without physical hinge within panel
40 truncated panel line
42 polygonal panel
44 connection process at hinge axis
46 node connector
48 hinge axis
50 polygon anchorage connection device
52 barrels of hinge
54 octohedrons
56 10-sided deltahedrons
56A strut
58 6-sided deltahedrons
60 depression
62 joinder of 2 cylinders
64 bulkhead
66 faceted column alternate
68A faceted column
68B faceted column
68C faceted column
70 bearing edge portion of joinder 62
72 central axis of cylinder, center of bulkhead
74 center top
76 equilateral triangle
78 non-eqilateral triangle
80 dimpled in
82 dimpled out
84 faceted column
86 void adjacent dimpled in
88 void adjacent dimpled out
90 shallow octohedron
92 planar spaceframe
94 parasol-like roof
96 faceted cylindrical structure
98 faceted cylindrical structure
100 stiffener
102 octohedrons
104 continuous faceted linear ridges
106 tetrahedral-like structure
108 substantially square surface
110 non-base edge
112 protrusion
114 substantially spherical structure
116 faceted cylinder
116A bulkhead
118 three-stellate module
120 four-stellate module
122 substantially spherical structure
124 manifold
126 faceted cylinder
128 faceted cylinder
130 egg crate like structure
DESCRIPTION FIGS. 1-18
In the instant application a generic teaching is disclosed, utilizing one simple variable modular non-rigid structural element, which when combined with others of like kind, can yield a multitude of individual species of useful rigid geometric
frameworks, forming a variety of engineering and architectural structures having discrete interior and exterior structures, all being easily clad using flat planar panels. In the instant application, several polygonal panels which may be frameworks or
other structural devices are variably joined about a hinge axis thereby forming a hinged stellate, non-rigid structural module. In a preferred embodiment the sides of the three hingeably joined polygonal frameworks are made from struts of equal length,
and several modules are combined to make a rigid polyhedral framework. In another preferred embodiment four hingeably joined polygonal frameworks having struts of not equal length form modules of which several are joined to make a rigid polyhedral
framework. Therefore a non-rigid and hingeably variable, incompletely polyhedral module forms in conjuction with others of like kind a variety of rigid polyhedral frameworks. The teaching of the instant application discloses an incomplete polyhedral
hinge wherein the non-hinge sides of the basic hinged polygons are used to join several of the modules together thereby progressively building up the new polyhedrons of the teaching of the present invention. The periodic adjustment of the angles of the
several polygons of the basic module of the instant application in relation to each other create differing arrays of groupings of the basic stellate-hinged modules, thereby forming a new family of rigid complex polyhedrons.
FIGS. 1A to ID show plan views of several typical embodiments of the basic hinged module.
FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one typical embodiment of the basic hinged module, with a second module attached.
FIGS. 3A-3D shows an elevational view of a typical scheme for a multi-leaved hinge device showing the barrel of the hinge divided into separate segments for each of the four joined polygonal panels. 3A also shows one scheme with the addition of
a ball and socket node located at an end of the axis of the hinge device. The leaves of the hinge device may be a single plane as in typical hinges, or may also be a pair of two parallel planes allowing the seating and connection of wall panels to the
hinge leaves.
FIG. 4 shows a close-up cross sectional view of the node.
FIGS. 5A-5C shows some typical preferred polygonal panels and their hinge attachment, being both typical barrel-type hinges 52, and also ball and socket type devices 20 at a non-base edge , and 44 at a base edge, located at the vertices of edges
of the polygonal wall panels.
FIGS. 6A-6B shows a basic polyhedron formed from embodiments of the present invention, being the joinder of five octohedrons 54, to two ten-sided deltahedrons 56, such that the discrete geometric forms at the exterior of the polyhedrons are the
inverse of the additional discrete geometric forms at the interior of the polyhedron. The inverse at the interior is shown in FIG. 6C. This is a typical feature of the teaching of the present invention, in that several of the structures of the present
invention have an interior which is either the exact inverse of the exterior form or a substantially identical reverse of the exterior forms. In some cases the interior edges of the inverse forms all meet at one point such as in the interior of FIGS.
6A, 7, forming structures of complete triangulation which have extreme rigidity and strength. In some other cases the inverse edges do not all meet at a point, still forming useful structures of great strength, which may be additionally stiffened with
additional linear struts. This basic polyhedron of FIGS. 6A and 6B is formed of the basic module of the present invention having three equilateral triangular polygonal panels joined about a hinge device 14.
A further variation, 56A at the perimeter of this polyhedron between the apices of the exterior projections of the octohedrons yields a modified structure having the same number of sides as the original polyhedron. This polyhedron, 6A, 6B has
two preferred embodiments. In the first, when all edges of the polygons from which the stellate-hinged module is formed are equal, the polyhedron formed will have 30 sides at its exterior 30, and at the interior all edges meeting at a single point, as
in FIG. 6A, 6B. A second embodiment polyhedron is formed of stellate-hinged modules having other types of polygons with non-equal edges thereby having thirty sides at each the exterior and the interior, but a | | |
