US20060042180A1

US20060042180A1 - Construction unit suitable for making regular and irregular polyhedral structures

Info

Publication number: US20060042180A1
Application number: US10/913,764
Authority: US
Inventors: Douglas Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-08-07
Filing date: 2004-08-07
Publication date: 2006-03-02

Abstract

A construction unit suitable for making regular and irregular polyhedral structures is disclosed. Each unit comprises at least one sub-member, preferably three sub-members, attached to one another to form a polygonally-shaped construction unit. The construction unit comprises a plurality of means to attach to other connectively compatible units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

The present invention does not involve any form of federally sponsored research or development.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to construction units suitable for constructing regular and irregular polyhedral structures. Regular and irregular polyhedral structures are useful in a number of realms, notably as an element of architectural works, aeronautical design, and toy construction sets. Other construction units and pre-fabricated building materials are known in the art, but none are directed primarily to the construction of regular and irregular polyhedrons.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique construction unit particularly suited to attach to other connectively compatible construction units to make regular and irregular polyhedral structures. The construction unit can have an equilateral triangular shape defined by a first sub-member, a second sub-member, and a third sub-member. Alternatively, however, the construction unit can have another shape when other than three sub-members are assembled and when the sub-members assembled to form the construction unit are of differing lengths.
Each of the sub-members has a discreet length between a first end, and a second end. Each sub-member has a first face and a second face. Each sub-member has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. Each sub-member further has at least one tab flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge and at least one tab flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-members can be made of flexible material. Construction with flexible material allows for passive distribution of torque and stress throughout the construction unit and facilitates ease of assembly as well as structural integrity of assembled construction units.
Each of the sub-members can be attached to the other two sub-members such that the second end of the first sub-member is attached to the first end of the second sub-member, the second end of the second sub-member is attached to the first end of the third sub-member, and the second end of the third sub-member is attached to the first end of the first sub-member.
Each of the tabs has a first face and a second face. Each tab face has at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the first tab face and at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the second tab face.
Each of the sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the first face. A first means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge. A second means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the second face. A first means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge. A second means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to a corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the sub-members has at least one means to attach additional construction units. The means to attach additional construction units can be located on the first face and positioned such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other sub-members.
Alternatively, the construction unit can comprise more than three, for example five connectively compatible sub-members attached to one another to form a polygonally-shaped, for example a pentagonally-shaped construction unit. A regular pentagonal shape can be defined by five connectively compatible sub-members of equal lengths as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
Each of the five sub-members has a discreet length between a first end, and a second end. Each sub-member has a first face and a second face. Each sub-member has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge. Each sub-member further has at least one tab flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge and at least one tab flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge 39.
Each of the five sub-members can be attached to two other sub-members such that the second end of the first sub-member is attached to the first end of the second sub-member, the second end of the second sub-member is attached to the first end of the third sub-member, the second end of the third sub-member is attached to the first end of the fourth sub-member, the second end of the fourth sub-member is attached to the first end of the fifth sub-member, and the second end of the fifth sub-member is attached to the first end of the first sub-member. The sub-members, thusly attached, can form a regular pentagonally-shaped construction unit.
Each of the tabs has a first face and a second face. Each tab face has at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the first tab face and at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the second tab face.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the first face. A first means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge. A second means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the second face. A first means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge. A second means to attach additional sub-members can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional construction units. The means to attach additional construction units can be located on the first face and positioned such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other basic members.
It is anticipated that at least three of sub-members can be attached to one another to form any regular and irregular polygonal shape by increasing and decreasing the number of sub-members to match the number of polygon sides desired. Additionally, useful irregular shapes can be formed by assembly of sub-members of differing lengths.
In an alternative embodiment, shown and described herein as a triangular construction unit by way of example only, the equilateral triangular shape can be defined by a first sub-member, a second sub-member, and a third sub-member, each of the three sub-members being substantially tubular in shape. Each of the three sub-members has a discreet length between a first end, and a second end. Each of the three sub-members can be attached to the other two sub-members such that the second end of the first sub-member is attached to the first end of the second sub-member, the second end of the second sub-member is attached to the first end of the third sub-member, and the second end of the third sub-member is attached to the first end of the first sub-member. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-members can be made of flexible material. Construction with flexible material allows for passive distribution of torque and stress throughout the construction unit and facilitates ease of assembly as well as structural integrity of assembled construction units.
Each sub-member can have at least one means to attach additional sub-members. The means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that additional sub-members of additional construction units can attach to the sub-member so that the first faces of each respective construction unit occupy planes that are at an angle of 120 degrees from one another.
Each sub-member can have at least one means to attach additional construction units. The means to attach additional construction units can be located such that a first face of an additional construction unit can attach to the first face of the construction units.
While triangular and pentagonal construction units have been given by way of example, other regular and irregular polygonal shapes are both possible and anticipated. Other shapes of construction units can be formed by altering the number and lengths of sub-members used to make a construction unit.
Alternatively, a construction unit suitable for combining with other connectively compatible construction units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures can comprise at least three, and shown in FIG. 16 with a fourth, connectively compatible sub-members substantially circular in shape. Each sub-member can have at least one connection point, each connection point having a location on the sub-member. Ideally, the connection points can be slidably attached to the sub-member to allow for easier assembly of construction units of varying sizes and shapes. By changing the locations and number of connection points, varying shapes and sizes of construction units can be assembled. Each sub-member has a first face defined by the circular shape.
Each sub-member has at least one means to attach additional construction units. The means to attach additional construction units can be located on the first face of each basic member such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other connectively compatible sub-members.
When constructing a regular pyramidal construction unit, for example, four connectively compatible substantially circular sub-members can each be connected to one another at the connection points located 120 degrees apart from one another, the connection points being equidistant from one another, such that the construction unit forms a virtual regular tetrahedron. The virtual regular tetrahedron has four equilateral triangular faces, each face being defined such that the equidistant connection points of the sub-members are located at the midpoints along each respective edge of the virtual tetrahedron and the entire construction unit is contained within the virtual regular tetrahedron.
The construction unit described herein is suitable for constructing regular and irregular polyhedrons when attached to other connectively compatible construction units. Irregular and irregular polyhedral structures can also be formed using a plurality of connectively compatible construction units, and by assembly of construction units of varying sizes.
A construction kit comprising a plurality of construction units as described above can be provided. Similarly, a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction unit sub-members can be provided. Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will present themselves in the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a sub-member.
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a sub-member exhibiting how two sub-members can be joined together.
FIG. 3 is a view of two sub-members aligned to be joined together end to end.
FIG. 3A shows a partially assembled construction unit comprising three sub-members.
FIG. 4 shows a construction unit comprising three sub-members joined together end to end to form an equilateral triangle.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing four construction units assembled to form a regular tetrahedron.
FIG. 6 is a shows two regular tetrahedrons, as in FIG. 5, aligned to be joined together to form a hexahedron.
FIG. 7 is a detail showing a means to attach additional construction units in one possible embodiment.
FIG. 8 shows two regular tetrahedrons, the lower tetrahedron without one face as in FIG. 7, joined to form one octahedron.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing five sub-members aligned to form a regular pentagon.
FIG. 10 is a view of five sub-members joined together to form a regular pentagon.
FIG. 11 is a side view of five sub-members joined to form a regular pentagon.
FIG. 12 shows a construction unit attached to two connectively compatible construction units (in spirit lines), implying that six construction units so joined will form a regular hexagon.
FIG. 13 shows an alternative embodiment, with eight construction units joined together to form a hexahedron.
FIG. 14 is a detailed view showing one possible embodiment of a means to attach additional sub-members.
FIG. 15 is a detail showing a means to attach additional construction units in a possible embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a view of another possible embodiment, showing four sub-members joined to form a regular tetrahedron.
FIG. 17 is a detailed view showing one possible embodiment of a means to attach additional sub-members.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique construction unit 10 particularly suited to attach to other connectively compatible construction units to make regular and irregular polyhedral structures. The construction unit can have an equilateral triangular shape defined by a first sub-member 20, a second sub-member 23, and a third sub-member 26. Alternatively, however, the construction unit can have another shape when other than three sub-members are assembled and when the sub-members assembled to form the construction unit are of differing lengths.
Each of the sub-members has a discreet length between a first end 30, and a second end 32. Each sub-member has a first face 34 and a second face 36. Each sub-member has a first longitudinal edge 38 and a second longitudinal edge 39. Each sub-member further has at least one tab 41 flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge 38 and at least one tab 41 flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge 39. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-members can be made of flexible material. Construction with flexible material allows for passive distribution of torque and stress throughout the construction unit and facilitates ease of assembly as well as structural integrity of assembled construction units.
Each of the sub-members 20, 23, 26 can be attached to the other two sub-members such that the second end 32 of the first sub-member 20 is attached to the first end 30 of the second sub-member 23, the second end 32 of the second sub-member 23 is attached to the first end 30 of the third sub-member 26, and the second end 32 of the third sub-member 26 is attached to the first end 30 of the first sub-member 20.
Each of the tabs 41 has a first face 43 and a second face 45. Each tab face has at least one means to attach to additional sub-members 50 on the first tab face 43 and at least one means to attach to additional sub-members 50 on the second tab face 45.
Each of the sub-members 20, 23, 26 has at least one means to attach additional sub-members 53, 55 located on the first face 34. A first means to attach additional sub-members 53 can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge 38. A second means to attach additional sub-members 55 can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge 39. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members 53, 55 can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs 41 of other sub-members.
Each of the sub-members 20, 23, 26 has at least one means to attach additional sub-members for example 53 located on the second face 36. A first means to attach additional sub-members 53 can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge 38. A second means to attach additional sub-members 55 can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge 39. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to a corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the sub-members 20, 23, 26 has at least one means to attach additional construction units 60. The means to attach additional construction units 60 can be located on the first face 34 and positioned such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other sub-members.
Alternatively, the construction unit can comprise more than three, for example five connectively compatible sub-members 62, 64, 66, 68, and 70 attached to one another to form a polygonally-shaped, for example a pentagonally-shaped construction unit 72. A regular pentagonal shape can be defined by five connectively compatible sub-members of equal lengths as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10.
Each of the five sub-members has a discreet length between a first end 30, and a second end 32. Each sub-member has a first face 34 and a second face 36. Each sub-member has a first longitudinal edge 38 and a second longitudinal edge 39. Each sub-member further has at least one tab 41 flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge 38 and at least one tab 41 flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge 39.
Each of the five sub-members 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70 can be attached to two other sub-members such that the second end 32 of the first sub-member 62 is attached to the first end 30 of the second sub-member 64, the second end 32 of the second sub-member 64 is attached to the first end 30 of the third sub-member 66, the second end 32 of the third sub-member 66 is attached to the first end 30 of the fourth sub-member 68, the second end 32 of the fourth sub-member 68 is attached to the first end 30 of the fifth sub-member 70, and the second end 32 of the fifth sub-member 70 is attached to the first end 30 of the first sub-member 62. The sub-members, thusly attached, can form a regular pentagonally-shaped construction unit 72.
Each of the tabs 41 has a first face 43 and a second face 45. Each tab face has at least one means to attach to additional sub-members 50 on the first tab face 43 and at least one means to attach to additional sub-members 50 on the second tab face 45.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the first face 34. A first means to attach additional sub-members 53 can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge 38. A second means to attach additional sub-members 55 can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge 39. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the second face 36. A first means to attach additional sub-members 53 can be located proximate to the first longitudinal edge 38. A second means to attach additional sub-members 55 can be located proximate to the second longitudinal edge 39. Each of the means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members.
Each of the five sub-members has at least one means to attach additional construction units 60. The means to attach additional construction units can be located on the first face 34 and positioned such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other basic members.
It is anticipated that at least three of sub-members for example, 20 can be attached to one another to form any regular and irregular polygonal shape by increasing and decreasing the number of sub-members to match the number of polygon sides desired. Additionally, useful irregular shapes can be formed by assembly of sub-members of differing lengths.
In an alternative embodiment, shown and described herein as a triangular construction unit by way of example only, the equilateral triangular shape can be defined by a first sub-member 80, a second sub-member 82, and a third sub-member 84, each of the three sub-members being substantially tubular in shape. Each of the three sub-members has a discreet length between a first end 86, and a second end 88. Each of the three sub-members can be attached to the other two sub-members such that the second end 88 of the first sub-member 80 is attached to the first end 86 of the second sub-member 82, the second end 88 of the second sub-member 82 is attached to the first end 86 of the third sub-member 84, and the second end 88 of the third sub-member 84 is attached to the first end 86 of the first sub-member 80. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-members can be made of flexible material. Construction with flexible material allows for passive distribution of torque and stress throughout the construction unit and facilitates ease of assembly as well as structural integrity of assembled construction units.
Each sub-member can have at least one means to attach additional sub-members 89. The means to attach additional sub-members can be located such that additional sub-members of additional construction units can attach to the sub-member so that the first faces of each respective construction unit occupy planes that are at an angle of 120 degrees from one another.
Each sub-member can have at least one means to attach additional construction units 89. The means to attach additional construction units can be located such that a first face of an additional construction unit can attach to the first face of the construction units.
While triangular and pentagonal construction units have been given by way of example, other regular and irregular polygonal shapes are both possible and anticipated. Other shapes of construction units can be formed by altering the number and lengths of sub-members used to make a construction unit.
Alternatively, a construction unit 114 suitable for combining with other connectively compatible construction units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures can comprise at least three, and shown in FIG. 16 with a fourth, connectively compatible sub-members 100, 102, 104 and 106 substantially circular in shape. Each sub-member can have at least one connection point 108, each connection point having a location on the sub-member. Ideally, the connection points 108 can be slidably attached to the sub-member to allow for easier assembly of construction units 114 of varying sizes and shapes. By changing the locations and number of connection points, varying shapes and sizes of construction units can be assembled. Each sub-member has a first face defined by the circular shape.
Each sub-member has at least one means to attach additional construction units 110. The means to attach additional construction units can be located on the first face of each basic member such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other connectively compatible sub-members.
When constructing a regular pyramidal construction unit 114, for example, four connectively compatible substantially circular sub-members 100, 102, 104 and 106 can each be connected to one another at the connection points 108 located 120 degrees apart from one another, the connection points being equidistant from one another, such that the construction unit forms a virtual regular tetrahedron 112. The virtual regular tetrahedron 112 has four equilateral triangular faces, each face being defined such that the equidistant connection points 108 of the sub-members are located at the midpoints along each respective edge of the virtual tetrahedron 112 and the entire construction unit is contained within the virtual regular tetrahedron 112.
The construction unit described herein is suitable for constructing regular and irregular polyhedrons when attached to other connectively compatible construction units. Irregular and irregular polyhedral structures can also be formed using a plurality of connectively compatible construction units, and by assembly of construction units of varying sizes.
A construction kit comprising a plurality of construction units as described above can be provided. Similarly, a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction unit sub-members can be provided.

Claims

1. a construction unit suitable for combining with other connectively compatible construction units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures, the construction comprising a plurality of sub-members;

each sub-member having a discreet length, a first end, and a second end, each sub-member having a first face and a second face, each sub-member having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, each sub-member having at least one tab flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge and at least one tab flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge;

each sub-member attached to the other sub-members such that the second end of a first sub-member is attached to the first end of another sub-member, and second end of a last sub-member is attached to the first end of the first sub-member;

each of the tabs having a first face and a second face, each tab face having at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the first tab face and at least one means to attach to additional sub-members on the second tab face;

each of the sub-members having at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the first face, the means to attach additional sub-members located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members;

each of the sub-members having at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the second face, the means to attach additional sub-members being located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located the tabs of other sub-members,

each of the sub-members having at least one means to attach additional construction units, the means to attach additional construction units being located on the first face and positioned such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other sub-members.

2. a construction unit suitable for combining with other connectively compatible construction units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures, the construction unit comprising a plurality of connectively compatible sub-members;

each sub-member being substantially circular in shape, each sub-member having a plurality of connection points, each sub-member having a first face, the first face defined by the circular shape, each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional construction units, the means to attach additional construction units being located on the first face of each basic member such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other connectively compatible sub-members;

the sub-members each connected to one another at the connection points.

3. a construction unit suitable for combining with other connectively compatible construction units to form regular and irregular polyhedral structures, the construction unit having a first face;

the first face being defined by a plurality of sub-members, each of the sub-members being substantially tubular in shape, each of the sub-members having a discreet length, a first end, and a second end, each of the sub-members attached to the other sub-members of the plurality of sub-members such that the second end of a first sub-member is attached to the first end of another sub-member, the second end of a last sub-member is attached to the first end of the first sub-member;

each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional sub-members, the means to attach additional sub-members being located such that the means to attach additional sub-members of additional sub-members can attach to the sub-member;

each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional construction units, the means to attach additional construction units being located such that a first face of an additional connectively compatible construction unit can attach to the first face of the construction unit.

4. a polyhedral object formed by the combination of multiple construction units described in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.

5. a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction units described in claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3.

6. a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction unit sub-members, each of the sub-members being connectively compatible with one another, each sub-member having a discreet length, a first end, and a second end, each sub-member having a first face and a second face, each sub-member having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, each sub-member having at least one tab flexibly attached to the first longitudinal edge and at least one tab flexibly attached to the second longitudinal edge;

each of the sub-members capable of being attached to other sub-members such that the second end of a first sub-member can be attached to the first end of another sub-member, the second end of a last sub-member can be attached to the first end of the first sub-member, such that the sub-members thusly attached form a construction unit suitable for making regular and irregular polyhedral structures;

each of the sub-members having at least one means to attach additional sub-members located on the first face, the means to attach additional sub-members being located such that a given means to attach additional sub-members can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional sub-members located on the tabs of other sub-members;

7. a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction unit sub-members, each of the plurality of sub-members being connectively compatible with one another;

each sub-member being substantially circular in shape, each sub-member having at least one connection point, each sub-member having a first face, the first face defined by the circular shape, each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional construction units, the means to attach additional construction units being located on the first face of each basic member such that the means to attach additional construction units can be aligned to attach to corresponding means to attach additional construction units located on other sub-members;

the sub-members each capable of being connected to one another at the connection point.

8. a construction kit comprising a plurality of construction unit sub-members, each of the plurality of sub-members being connectively compatible with one another;

each of the sub-members being substantially tubular in shape, each of the three sub-members having a discreet length, a first end, and a second end, each of the sub-members capable of being attached to other sub-members such that the second end of a first sub-member can be attached to the first end of another sub-member, and the second end of a last sub-member can be attached to the first end of the first sub-member, the sub-members thusly attached forming a construction unit suitable for making regular and irregular polyhedral structures;

each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional sub-members, the means to attach additional sub-members being located such that additional sub-members of additional construction units can attach to the sub-member;

each sub-member having at least one means to attach additional construction units, the means to attach additional construction units being located such that a first face of an additional construction unit can attach to the first face of the sub-member.

9. a polyhedral object constructed from the construction kit described in claim 6, claim 7, or claim 8.

10. a construction unit as in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the sub-members are flexible.

11. a construction kit as in claims 6, 7, or 8 wherein the sub-members are flexible.